£ 

.R465 
1899 


fit 


BANCROFT  LIBRARY 


5ALT  LAKE  CI 


MR.  DURANT 

...  OF  ... 

SALT  LAKE  CITY 

"THAT  MORMON" 


BY  BENlE.    RICH 


'God  attributes  to  place  no  sanctity,  if  none  be  thither  brought 
by  men  who  there  frequent." — Milton. 


Press  of 

Zion's  Printing  and  Publishing  Company 
independence,  Jackson  County,  Mo. 


f 


COPYRIGHTED. 


o 

^  PREFACE. 

•n 

When  this  publication  first  made  its  appearance  at  Salt 

•  Lake  City,  Utah,  in  February,  1893,  the  Author  little  dreamed 
~*  that  the  information  contained  in  the  same  would  have  such  a 
»jj  wide  circulation.     Thousands  of  the  books  and  hundreds  of 
^  thousands  of  the  tracts,   entitled :   "A  Friendly   Discussion," 

•  taken  from  this  little  work,  have  been  circulated  throughout 
-J  America,  European  countries,  and  the  Islands  of  the  Pacific. 

(  The  tract  has  not  only  been  printed  in  the  English  language, 
O  but  in  the  German,  Scandinavian  and  also  in  one  or  two  lan- 
-y.  guages  of  the  natives  of  the  Isles  of  the  Sea.  During  the  year 
Q  just  closed — 1898 — over  seven  hundred  thousand  of  these  little 
j  pamphlets  have  been  circulated  in  the  United  States  alone.  If 
rj  this  little  book  will  give  the  reader  a  better  conception  of  the 
^t  Latter-day  Saints  and  their  religion,  the  object  in  publishing  it 
£  will  have  been  attained. 

The   Author. 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  January,  1899. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Old  and  the  New. 

The  Changes  in  the  Sunny  South,  since  the  War.  Hospitality  of 
the  Southerner.  His  Traits  of  Character.  Politics  and  Religion. 
Purpose  of  the  Description 9 

CHAPTER  II. 
A  New  Arrival  in  the  Town. 

The  Town  of  Westminster.  Harmony  Place,  the  Hotel  of  the  Mar- 
shalls.  Guests  and  their  Social  Methods.  Mr.  Charles  Durant, 
the  New  Arrival  from  the  West.  Introduction  to  the  Family  and 
Visitors  10 

CHAPTER  III. 
New  Acquaintances  and  an  Agreeable  Discussion. 

An  Evening  on  the  Veranda.  A  Variety  of  Subjects  Discussed.  Pol 
itics  and  Religion.  Christian  America.  Do  People  Practice  their 
Religious  Professions?  Priests  Addicted  to  Money-getting  rather 
than  to  Soul-getting.  The  Stranger  Interested.  Proposed  Dis 
cussion.  Search  after  Truth.  A  Quotation  from  the  Prayer  Book. 
A  Difference  Concerning  the  Godhead.  Erroneous  Conception  of 
God.  Oneness  of  the  Father  and  the  Son.  Three  Separate  Iden 
tities,  United  as  One  in  all  Things.  Character  of  Each.  A  God 
with  Body,  Parts  and  Passions.  Mysteries  Explained.  "Good 
Night."  13 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Gaining  and  Losing  Favor. 

Entirely  at  Home.  Another  Evening  on  the  Veranda.  The  Rever 
end,  the  Stranger,  and  Churches.  The  Baptism  of  Christ.  Bap 
tism  by  Immersion.  Necessity  of  this  Ordinance.  The  Savior's 


Example.  Who  are  True  Christians?  Laying  on  of  Hands.  The 
Reverend  Retires  from  the  Argument.  Continued  Discussion. 
The  Gospel  and  its  Necessity:  Men  Must  Answer  for  their  Own 
Sins.  The  Double  Effect  of  the  Atonement  of  Christ.  Conditions 
of  Salvation.  A  definition  of  Faith.  First  Step  Alone  is  not  Suffi 
cient  for  Salvation.  Scripture  Explained.  Romans,  Chapter  X. 
The  Stranger's  Errand..-.. 20 

CHAPTER  V. 
Further  Discussion  of  the  First  Principles. 

The  Second  Step  that  Should  be  Taken  by  the  Convert  to  Christian 
ity.  True  Repentance,  its  End  and  Aim.  Forgiveness  of  Sin,  How 
Obtained.  Mode,  Meaning,  and  Significance  of  Baptism.  Who 
are  Fit  Candidates  for  this  Ordinance?  Little  Children  Exempt. 
What  Shall  We  Do  to  be  Saved?  the  Answer  oi  Paul.  The  Holy 
Ghost,  How  Conferred.  The  Signs  Following.  Conditions  of  Sal 
vation  named.  "Show  Me  Where  True  Christians  Live."  Who  is 
Authorized  to  Baptize?  The  Need  of  Authorized  Officers.  A  Sign 
of  the  True  Church.  Teachers  Must  be  Called  of  God.  "The 
Falling  Away"  Foretold.  Christians  Turned  Heathen.  The  Gos 
pel  to  be  Restored.  Prophecies  Concerning  this  Event.  The  Res 
toration  through  Revelation  to  Man.  Promises  to  the  Believer. 
A  Lecture  Arranged  for 29 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Truth  Again  Defeats  Falsehood. 

A  Pleasant  Conversation.  Missionary  Hymn.  Perfect  Happiness. 
True  Enjoyment,  How  Obtained.  The  Medium  Course.  Sensible 
Christianity.  The  Reverend  Once  More.  His  Peculiar  Surprise. 
"Are  You  from  Salt  Lake  City?"  The  Stranger  is  a  Latter-day 
Saint,  or  Mormon.  A  Discomfited  Minister.  Some  Falsehoods 
Exposed.  The  Articles  of  Faith.... 40 


CHAPTER  VII. 
A  Triumph  and  an   Escape. 

Durant's  Experience  in  Westminster.     His  Labors.    Meeting  in  the 
Town  Hall.    Sincere  Congratulations.    Fears  of  a  Mob 47 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Prophet  Joseph's  Statement. 

Once  More  on  the  Veranda.  Answering  Questions.  Information 
from  the  Right  Source.  Complete  Statement  of  the  Early  Rise 
and  Progress  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints, 
by  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith.  The  Book  of  Mormon.  The  Testi 
mony  of  Three  Witnesses.  And  also  the  Testimony  of  Eight  Wit 
nesses.  Concerning  the  Restoration  of  the  Gospel.  Striking 
Illustration.  Departure  from  Westminster 51 

CHAPTER  IX. 
That  Mormon  Again. 

A  New  Member  of  the  Marshall  Family.  Meeting  an  Esteemed 
Friend.  A  Delayed  Breakfast.  A  Promised  Return.  Anxious  to 
Meet  the  Missionary.  Effect  of  the  Elder's  Testimony.  Danger 
of  being  Converted  to  Mormonism.  An  Informal  Meeting 
Place j 70 

CHAPTER  X. 
The  Missionary's  Return. 

Once  More  with  his  Friends.  Experience  While  Away.  Account  of 
A  Terrible  Mobbing.  Peculiar  Feelings  Attending  the  Formation 
of  New  Friendships.  Opportunity  to  Introduce  a  New  Principle. 
The  Doctrine  of  Pre-Existence.  A  Beautiful  Poem.  Proofs  from 
the  Scriptures.  The  Truth  is  Reasonable.  A  Walk  through  the 
Village.  "The  World  my  Home." i 73 

CHAPTER  XI. 
A  Pleasant   Interview. 

An  Evening  Gathering.  Remarks  on  the  Faith  of  the  Latter-day 
Saints.  What  they  Believe.  A  Literal  Resurrection.  The  Teach 
ings  of  Jesus  and  the  Scriptures  on  this  Subject.  Illustrations. 
Now  Accepted  Facts  were  Once  Incomprehensible.  Great  Truths 
yet  Unrevealed.  The  Story  of  the  Silver  Cup.  Deathbed  Repent 
ance.  The  Fepentant  Malefactor  did  not  go  to  Heaven  with  the 
Savior.  The  Subject  Explained.  Where  and  What  is  Paradise? 
Preaching  to  Departed  Spirits.  Baptism  for  the  Dead.  The 


Welding" Link JBetween  the  Fathers  and  their  Children.  Testi 
mony  ^of  a^Prophecy  Fulfilled.  Organization  of  the  Church  of 
Christ.  The  Holy  Priesthood.  Officers  of  the  Melchizedek  and 
Aaronic  Priesthoods 81 

CHAPTER  XII. 
A  Baptism  and  a  Conversation  on  Marriage. 

Importance  of  Baptism.  Necessity  of  Earnest  Preparation.  Form 
of  the  Ordinance  Given.  Quotations  Showing  the  Gathering  to  be 
in  Strict  Harmony  with  the  Bible.  The  Marriage  Covenant  is 
Eternal.  The  Union  of  Adam  and  Eve.  What  is  meant  by  Mar 
riage  as  Ordained  of  God?  Necessity  of  Authority 95 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
About  the  Mormons. 

A  Trip  to  Utah.  Consideration  that  Led  the  Mormons  to  Settle  that 
Territory.  The  Death  of  the  Prophet  Joseph.  How  it  Occurred. 
Its  Effect  on  the  Saints.  How  Brigham  Young  Became  Leader  of 
the  People.  The  Exodus  from  Nauvoo.  Testimony  of  Historians. 
Goodbye.  Off  for  the  West.  Arrival  in  Salt  Lake  City.  A  Happy 
Meeting.  A  Doctrinal  Sermon 99 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Mr.  Brown's  Letter  to  the  Marshalls. 

The  Great  West.  Along  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific.  By 
the  Denver  &  Rio  Grande  over  the  Rockies.  Scenes  Along  the 
Line.  Over  the  Wasatch  into  Utah.  Delightful  Views.  Area, 
Population  and  Resources  of  the  State.  In  Salt  Lake  City.  The 
Tabernacle  and  the  Temple.  Ecclesiastical  Divisions.  Natural 
Attractions.  Education.  A  Living  Faith.  Fair  Minded  People. 
Greetings 121 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Conclusion. 

A  Word  Before  We  Separate.  Important  Questions.  "What  if  the 
Message  be  True."  "Read,  Listen,  Investigate."  "Know  this, 
that  Every  Soul  is  Free"....:.... 127 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Old  and  the  New. 

There  are  few  if  any  cities  or  towns  of  any  consequence  in 
the  vast  territory  known  to  poesy  as  the  Sunny  South,  that  do 
not  speak  in  every  street  corner,  in  almost  every  building,  and 
even  through  the  individuals  themselves,  of  the  wondrous 
changes  wrought  by  the  great  civil  war.  Those  who  knew  that 
Sunny  South  before  the  sanguinary  struggle,  and  have  since 
looked  upon  it,  will  most  readily  appreciate  the  force  of  this 
statement;  while  those  who  have  not  seen  it,  need  only  be  told 
that  where  villages  existed  then,  now  thriving  towns  arise,  or 
bustling  municipalities;  elegant  mansions  have  supplanted 
log  huts  or  other  indifferent  abodes  of  men;  the  railway  has 
displaced  the  stage  coach  for  all  time;  newspapers  abound 
where  before  these  were  almost  unknown,  and — greatest  boon 
of  all — the  auction  block,  whereon  human  merchandise  was 
publicly  vended,  exists  only  as  a  memory  which  itself  is  rapidly 
vanishing  before  the  pressure  of  modern  progress  and  a  better 
civilization.  In  one  respect  at  least,  however,  there  has  been 
little,  if  any  change,  and  that  is  in  regard  to  the  best  feature 
of  all  among  the  many  that  are  commendable  in  the  true 
Southerner — the  stranger  or  wayfarer  is  received  with  the 
same  unaffected  hospitality  as  of  yore,  and  is  at  liberty,  within 
reasonable  limits,  to  avail  himself  of  all  the  conveniences  and 
enjoyments  of  whatever  home  he  may  find  himself  the  guest. 

Notwithstanding  their  hospitality,  the  people  of  the  South 
are  usually  disposed  to  be  suspicious  of  strangers  until  well  ac 
quainted  with  them,  and  they  are  overly  watchful,  jealous 
and  even  irritable  when  once  a  real  or  fancied  cause  for  vigilance 
arises.  Inheriting  traditions  and  propensities  which  are  in 
separable  from  the  climate  and  the  race,  they  brook  no  inter 
ference  with  their  peculiar  views,  and  anything  savoring  of 
intolerance  or  bigotry  concerning  a  cherished  Southernism  is 
summarily  suppressed  if  it  can  be;  apart  from  this,  it  matters 
little  what  the  visitor  believes  or  practices  in  a  general  way. 
In  politics  they  incline  largely  one  way,  possibly  for  the  reason 
that  to  do  otherwise  would,  as  they  look  upon  it,  threaten 


10  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

them  with  the  domination  of  the  black  race,  and  this  of  all 
things  they  will  not  have,  no  matter  by  what  means  it  is  pre 
vented.  In  religion  they  are  Protestant  with  heavy  leaning  to 
wards  the  Baptist  doctrines,  not  always  free  from  narrowness, 
yet  fairly  tolerant — many  evincing  a  willingness  to  listen,  and 
demanding  a  right  to  believe  or  disbelieve,  as  their  judgment 
may  dictate. 

Those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  situation  would  be 
inclined  to  say  at  this  point:  "What  a  great  field  for  missionary 
work."  And  so  it  is;  but  the  great  mistake  of  supposing  that 
the  South  is  deficient  in  the  matter  of  Christian  endeavor  or 
ecclesiastical  institutions  must  not  be  made.  Far  from  that! 
On  the  contrary,  perhaps,  religious  feeling  is  more  generally 
diffused,  guarded,  and  defended  as  herein  expressed,  than  in 
any  other  section  of  the  civilized  world;  but  it  is  not  of  the  kind 
from  which  riots  and  persecutions  grow  for  no  other  reason 
than  that  it  is  opposed. 

There  is  much  else  south  of  the  imaginary  dividing  line  of 
North  and  South  that  might  be  spoken  of  to  interest,  but  which 
will  not  be  referred  to  except  incidentally  in  the  succeeding 
chapters.  What  we  have  said  is  for  the  purpose  of  giving  only 
so  much  of  a  description  of  the  country  and  people  as  is  necessary 
to  make  our  little  narrative,  the  incidents  of  which  are  laid  there, 
more  easily  understood.  As  this  book  deals  principally  with 
actual  occurrences,  and  people  in  real  life,  such  a  foundation 
seems  to  be  entirely  proper. 


CHAPTER  II. 
A  New  Arrival  in  the  Town. 

A  town  pleasantly  situated  in  the  southwestern  part  of 
Tennessee,  the  name  of  which  for  the  present  shall  be  West 
minster,  was  at  the  time  of  which  we  write  one  of  the  most 
cosmopolitan  places  imaginable  for  its  size, — that  is,  for  a 
southern  town.  It  contained  probably  two  thousand  regular 
inhabitants,  but  these  were  constantly  augmented,  it  being  at 
times  a  rallying  point  for  tourists  from  every  clime,  and  the 
temporary  abode  of  men  who,  in  the  aggregate,  during  a  season, 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  11 

came  well-nigh  representing  every  shade  of  opinion,  if  not  every 
phase  of  character. 

A  quiet  little  hotel,  or  perhaps  it  would  be  better  to  say  a 
residence,  with  accommodations  for  a  limited  number  of  guests, 
was  situated  near  the  outskirts,  and  so  pleasant  in  all  respects 
were  the  location,  surroundings  and  appointments,  that  its 
name,  Harmony  Place,  did  not  seem  at  all  inappropriate.  In 
two  important  respects  it  was  unlike  any  other  hostelry  in  the 
town — there  was  no  bar,  and  the  guests  all  had  a-n  air  of  re 
spectability  in  keeping  with  the  house  itself.  It  was  kept  by  a 
planter,  in  ordinary  financial  circumstances,  whose  name  was 
Marshall;  he  was  assisted  in  his  duties  by  a  colored  roustabout 
of  uncertain  ancestry,  a  circumscribed  present,  and  a  future 
wholly  undefined.  Mr.  Marshall's  wife,  and  daughter  Claire, 
did  their  part  by  generously  entertaining  the  visitors.  There 
were  at  the  time  of  which  we  write  three  guests — a  lawyer 
named  Brown,  who  had  established  himself  at  Westminster; 
a  doctor  calling  himself  Slocum,  who  was  giving  the  town  a 
trial  with  a  view  to  locating  in  it  if  the  patronage  warranted; 
and  a  tourist  whose  name  was  given  as  Reverend  Fitzallen, 
and  whose  object  seemed  to  be  the  pursuit  of  health,  pleasure 
and  information,  and  incidentally,  the  dissemination  of  the 
gospel  according  to  his  faith.  Naturally,  with  so  limited  a  circle 
of  patrons,  each  having  been  there  for  some  length  of  time,  the 
associations  all  around  were  more  like  those  in  a  family  than 
such  as  exist  between  landlord  and  guests.  An  evening  in  the 
parlor  with  everybody  but  the  Ethiopian  present,  the  daughter 
singing  to  her  own  accompaniment  on  the  piano,  while  the 
doctor  turned  the  music  for  her,  was  often  enjoyed,  and  there 
was  rarely  if  ever  a  discordant  circumstance  to  mar  the  serenity 
of  these  occasions. 

It  was  early  in  September,  189 — ,  the  most  enjoyable  part 
of  the  year  in  Westminster.  A  man,  who  was  readily  distin 
guishable  from  the  town-folk,  not  only  by  his  strange  face  but 
by  his  attire,  and  by  that  indescribable  air  which  appears  the 
more  plainly  the  more  a  stranger  tries  to  discard  or  conceal  it, 
made  his  way  leisurely  to  the  gate  fronting  Harmony  Place, 
and  continued  his  way  up  the  walk  leading  to  the  door.  He 
was  met  by  Mrs.  Marshall  and  informed,  in  response  to  his 
inquiry,  that  he  could  obtain  lodgings  there.  The  colored  man 
took  the  guest's  valise  and  led  the  way  to  a  room  on  the  second 


12  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

floor.  After  washing  himself  and  brushing  off  the  dust  from 
his  clothes,  the  stranger  reappeared  in  the  sitting  room,  and 
taking  up  a  paper  awaited  the  anouncement  that  refreshments 
were  ready,  which  was  not  long  in  coming. 
^  He  was  somewhat  above  medium  height,  well  proportioned, 
not  unusually  well  dressed,  but  still  appeared  presentable  in 
good  society,  and  had  a  countenance  which,  while  not  decidedly 
handsome,  was  regular  and  of  that  caste  which  attracts 
attention;  his  voice  was  quite  pleasant,  his  natural  conver 
sational  faculty  proved  to  be  good,  and  he  was  so  well  fortified 
with  current  facts  and  all  the  pleasantries  of  the  day,  that  before 
the  meal  was  over  he  was  quite  in  harmony  with  the  hostess, 
who  was  not  only  happy  to  answer  any  question  he  asked,  but 
took  advantage  of  every  opportunity  to  propound  queries  for 
herself.  Within  an  hour  from  the  time  of  arrival,  the  new 
guest  seemed  to  be  nearly  as  well  acquainted  as  if  he  had  been 
an  inmate  of  the  house  for  a  month  at  least.  This  ability  of 
rapidly  forming  acquaintance  is  very  rare;  and  particularly 
in  the  case  of  travelers,  the  absence  of  which  no  amount  of 
money  or  graces  could  recompense.  Those  who  possess  it  do 
not  need  an  extended  reference  to  its  usefulness  to  be  made 
aware  thereof ,  while  those  who  are  not  in  possession  of  it  can 
never  be  made  fully  to  understand  its  value  by  means  of  cold 
type  and  white  paper. 

The  landlady  has  learned  the  name  of  the  latest  arrival 
before  the  reader  has — it  is  Charles  Durant,  aged  thirty,  and  he 
comes  from  the  West — a  rather  indefinite  abiding  place  to  those 
of  us  who  are  residents  of,  or  are  familiar  with,  that  division 
of  our  country.  It  is  satisfactory,  however,  to  a  majority  of  our 
eastern  and  southern  brethren  who  have  never  placed  feet  upon 
the  shores  of  the  Missouri,  or  crossed  its  waters,  and  who  seem 
to  entertain  a  vague  idea  that  Westerners  all  come  from  one 
place,  and  are  all  alike  in  most  respects. 

Later  in  the  day  Durant  took  a  stroll  through  the  suburbs 
of  the  town,  and  returning  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Marshall, 
to  the  guests,  as  they  appeared  one  by  one,  with  all  of  whom  he 
was  soon  on  the  most  cordial  terms,  and  finally  to  the  young 
lady,  the  sole  representative  on  earth  of  her  devoted  parents, 
who,  being  twenty  years  of  age,  as  pretty  as  a  dream,  well 
formed,  and  altogether  attractive,  was  not  likely  to  bear  their 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  13 

name  much  longer,  albeit  at  this  time  reveling  in  "maiden 
meditation,  fancy  free." 

It  was  truly  an  interesting  circle  and  the  interest  did  not 
abate  in  the  least  by  reason  of  the  latest  arrival. 


CHAPTER  III. 
New    Acquaintances    and    an    Agreeable    Discussion. 

The  evening  of  the  first  day  that  marked  the  stranger's 
advent  into  Westminster  saw  the  entire  personnel  of  Harmony 
Place  on  the  veranda;  the  new  moon  smiling  benignly  upon 
them,  the  evening  was  cool  and  the  "ripe  harvest  of  the  new- 
mown  hay"  gave  to  the  air  a  "sweet  and  wholesome  odor." 
One  subject  after  another  was  taken  up,  discussed  and  disposed 
of,  or  at  least  laid  aside  to  give  way  to  some  other,  and  in  each 
and  all  of  them  our  hero  (for  such  we  may  as  well  commence  to 
recognize  him)  took  a  part,  and  exhibited  a  fund  of  information 
and  an  aptitude  of  presentation  which  gave  him  the  preference 
without  a  contest  whenever  he  chose  to  speak.  This  became 
more  and  more  frequent  as  the  night  wore  on,  for  there  was  no 
disguising  the  fact  that  he  was,  like  the  others,  already  one  of 
the  household.  If  any  one  of  the  party  wondered  what  it  was 
that  he  had  come  for,  how  he  expected  to  get  it,  or  how  long  he 
was  to  stay,  the  conjecture  never  found  expression;  for  they  all 
experienced  so  much  of  general  satisfaction  in  hearing  him,  and 
took  such  genuine  pleasure  in  his  word-painting  of  western 
scenes  and  events,  that  they  were  all  willing  to  have  him  stay 
indefinitely.  He  was  literally  chosen  as  one  of  their  number 
without  opposition,  and  the  mere  matters  of  detail  regarding 
his  purposes  might  be  left  to  the  future  or  be  entirely  undis 
covered;  he  was  now  decidedly  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune 
so  far  as  retaining  the  good  will  of  that  little  group  was  con 
cerned. 

The  conversation  proceeded  from  point  to  point  until 
the  topics  of  the  quiet  gathering  assumed  more  the  aspect  of 
an  intellectual  melange  than  anything  else;  the  Sepoy  rebellion 
made  way  for  the  Dakota  blizzard,  the  signal  failure  of  the  first 
laying  of  the  Atlantic  cable  was  shelved  to  make  place  for 
Webster's  artistic  destruction  of  Dr.  Parkman,  and  Crom 


14  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

well's  career  of  conquests  and  crimes  was  followed  by  a  brief 
discussion  of  the  science  and  practice  of  silver  mining.  (Variety 
and  scope  enough,  surely!)  It  must  be  noticeable  that  the  two 
subjects  which  agitate  us  nationally  and  sometimes  locally 
more  than  any  others — politics  and  religion — had  so  far  es 
caped;  they  had  not,  however,  been  unthought  of,  and  present 
ly  the  latter  was  begun  by  the  minister  saying: 

"Representing  to  some  extent  as  I  do,  the  church,  I  am  com 
pelled  to  admit  that  in  the  matters  of  organization,  discipline 
and  places  of  worship,  America  is  thoroughly  Christianized. 
Look  at  the  profusion  of  church  buildings  wherever  you  go. 
To  me  such  rivalry  is  gratifying  in  the  extreme,  representing  as 
it  does  the  highest  type  of  good  citizenship." 

"I  partially  concur  with  you,"  said  the  lawyer,  "and  yet  I 
belong  to  no  church  at  all — do  not,  in  fact,  endorse  Christianity 
as  a  department  of  civilized  life." 

"Why,  how  is  this?"  said  Fitzallen,  "I  thought  nearly 
everybody  in  this  country  must  be  orthodox  to  some  extent  at 
least." 

"Not  so  with  me,  I  assure  you,"  the  other  replied,  "and 
the  strangest  part  of  it  is  that  my  'peculiar  views,'  as  you  may 
call  them,  are  not  the  result  of  neglect  or  indifference,  but  are 
rather  caused  by  investigation  and  the  peculiar  explanations, 
or  rather  lack  of  explanations,  of  those  who  make  the  dis 
semination  of  religious  views  their  calling." 

"In  other  words,  you  are  an  unbeliever." 

"Exactly." 

"Not  totally,  I  trust." 

"Oh,  not  necessarily.  The  creeds  which  base,  or  profess  to 
base,  their  tenets  upon  the  Bible  do  not,  as  it  appears  to  me, 
live  up  to  their  professions,  and  the  clergy — meaning  no  offense 
whatever — are  more  addicted  to  money-getting  than  to  soul- 
getting.  That  there  may  be  salvation  and  a  Supreme  Judge  Who 
provides  it,  is  to  me  simply  like  the  traditional  Scotch  verdict — 
not  proved." 

The  stranger  from  the  West  was  listening  to  all  this  with 
the  air  of  one  deeply  interested.  It  was  as  if  an  opportunity 
which  he  desired,  but  had  not  expressed  himself  concerning, 
had  come,  and  he  was  not  at  all  reluctant  about  replying  when 
questioned  as  to  his  own  views.  It  came  when  the  church- 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  15 

man,  after  announcing  his  determination  to  "labor"  with  the 
infidel,  turned  to  the  new-comer  and  said: 

"I  do  not  know  whether  you  would  be  for  or  against  me  in 
such  a  work,  but  corning  from  what  we  of  the  East  are  prone  to 
regard  as  the  land  where  restraints  are  not  severe,  I  fear  you 
might  be  disposed  to  assist  him  rather  than  me." 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  said  Durant,  "this  topic  interests  me, 
and  while  I  and  my  opinions  are  unknown  to  you  all,  still  I 
will,  if  agreeable,  endeavor  to  throw  some  light  upon  the  sub 
ject  at  present,  and  will  seek  to  do  more  in  that  direction  here 
after  if  favored  with  an  opportunity.  I  am  a  believer  in  religion, 
laying  claim  to  a  testimony  from  above,  and  still  I  often  find 
myself  opposed  by  ministers;  they  are  generally  the  very  per 
sons  who  are  foremost  in  opposing  me  on  every  side,  strange  to 
say." 

"I  cannot  imagine  why  this  should  be  the  case,"  said 
Fitzallen,  "if  you  are,  as  you  state,  a  true  believer  in  Christ  and 
have  a  testimony  of  Him." 

"It  may  seem  strange  to  you,  at  which  I  do  not  wonder. 
But  I  am  afraid  I  am  delaying  the  work  you  have  planned  for 
Mr.  Brown's  welfare.  If  you  will  permit  me  to  ask  a  few  ques 
tions  during  your  conversation  with  him,  I  may  be  able  to 
take  a  general  part  in  it  before  it  closes,  provided,  however, 
that  should  we  differ  upon  any  religious  views,  it  will  be  a 
friendly  and  pleasant  manner." 

"Oh,  certainly,"  said  the  churchman,  "I  am  sure  it  will 
be  a  pleasure  to  me  to  have  you  join  in  our  conversation  as 
you  see  fit,  and  I  do  not  doubt  that  Mr.  Brown  and  the  other 
gentlemen  will  look  upon  it  in  the  same  way." 

The  entire  party  here  expressed  approval  of  the  proposed 
discussion,  and  the  lawyer  said: 

"I  have  not  the  slightest  objection,  and  will  be  glad  to 
have  all  the  light  possible  thrown  upon  the  different  doctrinal 
points  that  I  do  not  believe,  and  mainly  because  of  which  I 
am  not  at  present  a  member  of  any  Christian  church." 

"Then,  Mr.  Brown,"  said  Fitzallen,  "let  us  commence  our 
voyage  in  search  of  eternal  truth.  What  particular  part  of  the 
Christian  faith  appears  to  you  as  being  most  difficult  to  under 
stand?" 

"I  confess  there  are  many.  However,  It  us  commence 
with  one  of  the  principles  of  your 'belief.  I  will  refer  to  some  of 


16  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

the  literature  of  the  Church  of  England.  The  first  article  of 
religion  contained  in  the  prayer  book  of  the  Church  of  England: 
'There  is  but  one  living  and  true  God,  everlasting;  without 
body,  parts  or  passions;  of  infinite  power,  wisdom  and  goodness; 
the  Maker  and  Preserver  of  all  things,  both  visible  and  invisible; 
and  in  the  unity  of  this  Godhead  there  are  three  persons  of  one 
substance,  power  and  eternity — the  Father,  Son  and  the 
Holy  Ghost.'  According  to  this,  then,  your  belief  is  that  the 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost  are  one  person,  without  body, 
parts  or  passions." 

"You  have  certainly  quoted  correctly  from  the  prayer 
book;  I  fail  to  see  anything  wrong  with  that.  What  fault  have 
you  to  find  with  it?" 

"None  whatever  if  you  really  believe  it,  because  there  does 
not  seem  to  me  much  variance  in  our  conclusion  if  you  believe 
in  such  a  God  as  this;  I  can  not  conceive  of  a  just  God  who  has 
neither  body,  parts  or  passions.  So  far  as  the  Bible  is  concerned, 
I  fail  to  see  from  what  part  of  that  book  you  obtain  such  a  con 
clusion." 

"Well,  Mr.  Brown,  using  your  own  language,  'so  far  as  the 
Bible  is  concerned,'  let  us  do  as  Isaiah  commands,  go  'to  the  law 
and  to  the  testimony'  (Isaiah  viii:20),  and  I  will  soon  convince 
you  that  the  Bible  plainly  sets  forth  the  fact  that  the  Father  and 
the  Son  are  one.  In  fact,  Jesus  Himself  declares  that  He  and 
His  Father  are  one.  (John  x:30. )  Is  this  not  true?" 

"Excuse  me,"  said  Durant,  "but  is  it  not  more  reasonable 
for  us  to  believe  He  meant  that  He  and  His  Father  were  united 
in  all  things  as  one  person? — not  that  they  were  actually  one 
and  the  same  identity?" 

"Certainly  not,"  said  the  reverend,  "our  Savior  meant 
just  what  He  said  when  He  declared  that  He  and  His  Father 
were  one." 

"I  must  certainly  differ  from  you,"  said  the  stranger,  "for 
He  also  asked  His  Father  to  make  His  disciples  one,  even  as  He 
and  the  Father  were  one,  as  you  will  see  by  reference  to  John 
xvii:20  and  21,  and  by  your  argument  it  must  have  been  His 
wish  for  those  disciples  to  lose  their  separate  and  distinct  identi 
ties.  I  am  afraid  you  are  not  making  a  very  favorable  impression 
on  Mr.  Brown's  mind." 

"Stranger,"  said  Mr.  Brown,  "your  view  of  the  case,  I  must 
confess,  appears  to_be  very  reasonable.  Looking  at  it  from  any 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  17 

other  standpoint  would  not  be  in  accord  with  sound  reason." 

"Let  me  ask,"  said  the  preacher,  "did  not  Jesus  say,  'He 
that  hath  seen  Me,  hath  seen  the  Father?'  "  (John  xiv:9. ) 

"Yes,"  said  the  westerner,  "for  as  Paul  says,  He  was  in 
the  express  image  of  His  (Father's)  person  (Heb.  i:3),  and 
this  being  the  case  Jesus  might  well  give  them  to  understand 
that  when  they  had  seen  one  they  had  seen  the  other.  When 
Jesus  went  out  to  pray,  He  said,  'O,  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible, 
let  this  cup  pass  from  me:  nevertheless,  not  as  I  will  but  as 
Thou  wilt.'  (Matt.  xxvi:39.)  Now  then,  to  whom  was  our 
Savior  praying?  Was  He  asking  a  favor  of  Himself?" 

"Oh,  no:  He  was  then  praying  to  the  Holy  Spirit." 

"Oh,  then  by  such  admission  you  have  separated  one  of  the 
three  from  Jesus,  for  in  the  beginning  you  declared  that  the 
three  were  one;  and  now  that  we  have  one  of  the  three  separated 
from  the  others,  let  us  see  if  we  can  separate  the  other  two. 
In  order  to  do  this,  I  refer  you  to  the  account  of  the  martyrdom 
of  Stephen.  While  being  stoned  to  death  he  looked  up  to  heaven 
and  saw  the  glory  of  God,  and  that  Jesus  was  standing  on  the 
right  hand  of  God.  (Acts  vii:55.)  Would  it  not  be  rather  dif 
ficult  for  any  person  to  stand  on  the  right  hand  of  himself? 
And  in  order  to  prove  further  that  Jesus  is  a  separate  person 
from  the  Father,  we  will  examine  into  the  account  of  His 
baptism.  On  coming  up  out  of  the  water,  what  was  it  that 
lighted  upon  Him  in  the  form  of  a  dove?"  (Matt.  iii:16.) 

"We  are  told  it  was  the  Spirit  of  God." 

"Exactly!  And  whose  voice  was  it  that  spoke  from  the 
heavens,  saying,  'This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well 
pleased?'  (Matt.  iii:17.)  Now,  mind  you,  there  was  Jesus,  who 
had  just  been  raised  from  the  water,  being  one  person,  the  Holy 
Ghost  which  descended  from  above  and  rested  upon  Him  in  the 
form  of  a  dove,  making  two  personages;  and  does  not  the  idea 
strike  you  very  forcibly  that  the  voice  from  heaven  belonged  to  a 
third  person?  And  then,  again,  I  will  draw  your  attention  to — 

The  churchman  was  getting  warmed  up.  Said  he:  "These 
are  things  which  we  are  not  expected  to  understand;  and,  my 
young  friend,  I  would  advise  you  to  drop  such  foolish  ideas, 
for—" 

"Excuse  me.  Did  you  say  'foolish  ideas'?  Why,  my  dear 
•ir,  w«  are  told  in  the  Bible  that,  'This  is  life  eternal,  that  they 
might  know  Thee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom 


18  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

Thou  hast  sent.'  (John  xvii:3).  Therefore,  it  should  be  our  first 
duty  to  find  out  the  character  and  being  of  God.  You  say  we 
are  not  expected  to  understand  these  things,  while  the  Bible 
says  these  are  what  we  must  understand  if  we  desire  eternal 
life.  It  also  says  we  can  understand  the  things  of  man  by  the 
spirit  of  man,  but  to  understand  the  things  of  God  we  must  have 
the  Spirit  of  God;  and  as  you  profess  to  be  one  of  His  servants, 
you  are  supposed  to  be  in  possession  of  the  necessary  Spirit 
to  understand  the  true  and  living  God,  also  Jesus  Christ  whom 
He  sent.  You  say  God  has  no  body;  did  our  Savior  have  one? 
If  so,  then  His  Father  had  one,  for  I  have  just  proved  by  the 
words  of  Paul  that  Christ  was  in  the  express  image  of  His 
person.  (Heb.  1:3.)  Jesus  appeared  in  the  midst  of  His  dis 
ciples  after  His  resurrection,  with  a  body  of  flesh  and  bones, 
and  called  upon  His  disciples  to  satisfy  themselves  on  this 
point  by  touching  Him;  for,  says  He,  'a  spirit  hath  not  flesh 
and  bones  as  ye  see  me  have.'  (Luke  xxiv:39.)  Then  He  called 
for  something  to  eat  and  He  did  eat  (verses  42,  43,)  and  with 
this  body  of  flesh  and  bones  He  ascended  into  heaven  and  stood, 
as  Stephen  says,  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  (Acts  vii:55.) 
Now,  if  He  has  no  body,  what  became  of  the  one  He  took  away 
with  Him?" 

"This  is  nonsense!  you  know  that  God  is  a  spirit,  and  I 
think  we  would  better  not  delve  too  deeply  into  matters  which 
we  are  not  permitted  to  comprehend." 

'Tray,  listen  a  while  longer,  for  I  have  yet  more  to  say  in 
regard  to  what  you  call  nonsense,  although  if  it  be  such,  I  must 
insist  that  it  is  Bible  nonsense.  You  say  God  is  a  spirit;  does 
that  prove  He  has  no  body?  We  are  also  told  we  must  worship 
Him  in  spirit.  Am  I  to  understand  from  this  that  we  must 
worship  Him  without  a  body?  Have  you  a  spirit?  Yes.  Have 
you  also  a  body?  Yes.  Were  you  made  in  the  image  of  God, 
body  and  spirit?  So  says  the  good  old  Bible.  Man  was  created 
in  the  image  of  God.  (Gen.  i:26,  27.)  Then  God  has  a  body, 
and,  consequently,  must  have  parts.  Moses  talked  with  Him 
face  to  face,  as  one  man  talks  with  another  (Ex.  xxxiii:ll), 
and  he  also  saw  His  back  parts.  He  promised  (Num.  xii:8) 
to  speak  with  Moses  mouth  to  mouth.  We  are  told  in  the  fifth 
chapter  of  Deuteronomy  that  He  has  a  hand  and  arm.  The 
Psalm  (cxxxix:16)  tells  us  He  has  eyes,  and  Isaiah  (xxx:27) 
says  He  had  lips  and  a  tongue.  John  describes  His  head,  hair 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  19 

and  eyes.  (Rev.  i:14.)  And,  as  for  passions,  we  are  told  in  the 
Bible  that  He  has  love,  wrath,  and  is  a  jealous  God.  Are  these 
not  parts  and  passions?  My  dear  sir,  it  would  appear  that  all 
who  believe  in  the  scriptures  must  conclude  that  they  are  parts 
and  passions,  and  that  the  Creator  is  a  God  after  whose 
likeness  we  are  made." 

"Well,  I  had  no  idea  when  I  commenced  this  conversation 
with  Mr.  Brown  that  I  was  to  find  such  an  antagonist  in  your 
self.  One  would  naturally  come  to  the  conclusion  that  you  had 
made  the  Bible  a  study." 

"Thank  you,  you  do  me  honor.  I  confess  I  have  as  a 
Christian  studied  the  record;  in  fact,  at  a  very  early  age  my 
parents  required  me  to  commit  and  remember  a  very  important 
verse  in  that  good  old  book.  It  is  found  in  the  fifth  chapter  of 
the  gospel  according  to  St.  John,  beginning  the  39th  verse,  and 
reads  as  follows:  'Search  the  scriptures,  for  in  them  ye  think  ye 
have  eternal  life:  and  they  are  they  which  testify  of  me.'  ' 

"That  is  certainly  proper,  but  I  must  again  warn  you 
against  plunging  into  mysteries  which  we  cannot  understand." 
"But  Peter  tells  us  that  'no  prophecy  of  the  scripture  is  of 
any  private  interpretation'  (II.  Peter  i:20),  and  these  are  the 
things  upon  which  we  should  seek  for  information;  for  lack  of 
explanation  by  the  ministers  upon  these  points  is,  to  a  great 
extent,  the  cause  of  many  persons  being  in  Mr.  Brown's  frame 
of  mind  today." 

"You  are  scarcely  complimentary,  and  if  your  assertions 
be  correct,  perhaps  it  would  be  better  for  me  to  withdraw  and 
leave  Mr.  Brown  in  your  hands." 

"I  beg  your  pardon,  my  dear  sir,"  said  Durant,  "I  meant 
not  to  offend,  I  assure  you,  and  intended  only  to  be  in  earnest; 
I  will  endeavor  to  be  more  careful  during  the  rest  of  the  con 
versation." 

The  lawyer,  who  was  decidedly  impressed  at  this  juncture, 
dispelled  what  might  have  been  a  painful  silence  by  saying: 

"Well,  I  declare,  things  have  taken  a  very  peculiar  turn,  I 
seem  to  be  out  of  the  fight  altogether.  But  I  want  to  say  this,  I 
have  heard  more  that  appears  to  be  reasonable  from  you,  Mr. 
Durant,  regarding  these  matter  than  ever  before  in  my  life,  and 
I  must  also  admit  that  if  my  early  teaching  on  religious  matters 
had  been  as  reasonable,  I  almost  believe  I  might  have  been  a 
Christian." 


20  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

As  it  was  getting  late  Mr.  Marshall  here  "put  in  a  word," 
saying: 

"It  is  now  getting  quite  late  and  perhaps  all  would  like  to 
retire;  if  so,  I  will  conduct  you  to  your  rooms." 

"No,"  said  Mr.  Brown,  "we  must  not  go  to  bed  yet  a 
while.  I  never  was  religiously  interested  before  in  my  life,  and  I 
wish  to  listen  to  further  discussion  between  these  two." 

The  new-comer  was  more  than  willing;  but  being  somewhat 
fatigued  himself,  and  realizing  that  possibly  there  might  be  a 
sense  of  weariness  in  some  of  the  others,  he  deemed  it  best  not 
to  continue  for  the  time  being,  although  asked  to  do  so.  He 
then  made  a  suggestion,  which  was  unanimously  agreed  to: 
that  the  subject  be  taken  up  on  the  following  evening  in  the  same 
place;  and  so  with  mutual  expressions  of  regard  and  a  kind 
"good  night"  all  around,  the  party  dispersed  for  the  night. 


CHAPTER   IV. 
Gaining  and  Losing  Favor. 

The  western  man  had  not  intended  to  make  a  stay  at  the 
little  home  hostelry  where  he  was  quartered,  and  where  he  had 
become  so  thoroughly  ingratiated  all  at  once.  His  mission  re 
quired  a  frequent  "change  of  base"  and  constant  action;  but 
he  realized  that  nothing  was  occurring  which  was  so  greatly  at 
variance  with  his  general  purpose  as  to  materially  change  it,  and 
that,  a  nucleus  for  possible  future  engagements  having  been 
established,  he  might  as  well  remain  where  he  was  until  called 
elsewhere.  Already  he  was  on  the  best  of  terms  with  all,  even 
with  the  "colored  citizen,"  and  he  was  disposed  to  make  him 
self  entirely  at  home,  as  all  hands  were  willing  to  have  him  do. 

The  time  for  the  adjourned  meeting  on  the  veranda  came 
and  not  only  was  a  quorum  present,  but  all  of  the  party  were 
there,  besides  two  or  three  neighbors  who  had  learned  something 
of  what  was  taking  place.  After  a  few  formalities  had  been  en 
gaged  in,  the  discussion  was  opened  by  Durant  suggesting  to 
Fitz alien  that  it  was  a  little  singular  that  two  men  believing  in, 
and  upholding,  the  same  good  book  should  find  anything  to 
dispute  about;  such  things  did  happen,  however,  and  perhaps 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  21 

it  was  as  well,  since  by  free  discussion  error  was  eradicated  and 
truth  made  plain. 

The  preacher  then  asked  a  question  which  must  seem  to  the 
reader  to  have  been  too  long  delayed — "May  I  ask  of  what 
church  you  are  a  member?" 

"Certainly,"  said  the  Westerner;  "but  before  answering, 
will  you  tell  me  what  church  edifice  that  is  to  the  east  of  us?" 

"That  is  the  Wesleyan  church." 

"And  the  one  a  short  distance  below  here?" 

"That  is  the  Episcopalian." 

"What  other  churches  are  there  in  this  place?" 

"Oh,  there  are  the  Baptist,  the  Catholic  chapel,  and  the 
quarters  of  the  Salvation  Army,  so  called." 

"Is  that  all?" 

"Yes,  I  believe  so,  and  I  think  enough,  unless  we  have 
omitted  naming  yours." 

"You  certainly  have,  for  the  church  of  which  I  am  a 
member  you  have  failed  to  mention  at  all." 

"Indeed?   And  what  is  it?" 

"The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  sir.  Don't  you  think  it 
would  be  well  if  He  also  had  a  church  in  your  midst?" 

"Why,  my  friend,  they  all  belong  to  Him." 

"Is  it  possible?  I  certainly  have  no  recollection  of  hearing 
you  even  mention  His  name  in  connection  with  any  of  them." 

"You  may  not  have  heard  His  name,  but  they  are  all,  yes, 
even  the  parading  and  noise-making  Salvation  Army,  engaged 
in  His  service." 

"Then  why  not  bear  His  name?" 

"It  is  a  case  in  which  the  name  need  not  be  connected  with 
the  object,  and  still  the  service  rendered  and  the  objects  aimed 
at  are  all  for  Him,  as  certainly  all  who  engage  in  the  calling  of 
Christianity  believe,  and  as  those  who  practice  in  the  ministry 
instruct." 

"Let  us  see  how  this  is.  Your  church  members  believe  in 
the  Lord  Jesus,  accept  the  word  of  God  as  an  exposition  of  His 
principles,  as  well  as  a  command  to  them,  and  the  ministers 
instruct  them  accordingly.  Is  that  so?" 

"It  is." 

"Then  I  am  to  understand  that  all  these  churches  and 
communicants  uphold  and  practice  baptism  by  immersion  as 
set  forth  in,  and  enjoined  by,  the  scriptures." 


22  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

"No;  that  is  to  say,  some  do,  and  some  do  not." 

"What  is  the  probable  proportion?" 

"Oh,  I  could  not  say  as  to  that." 

"Do  not  you  and  the  majority  of  the  others  accept  of  other 
forms  of  baptism  and  in  many  cases  of  none  at  all?" 

"Yes." 

"Does  not  that  depart  from  the  teachings  of  the  Bible  and 
the  example  set  by  Christ  Himself?" 

"Not  necessarily." 

"Did  not  He  go  down  into  the  waters  of  baptism  and  receive 
immersion  at  the  hands  of  John  the  Baptist?" 

"Yes." 

"And  did  not  the  injunction  go  forth  which  forms  the  very 
corner-stone  of  His  own  Church — of  Christianity — 'Repent  and 
be  baptized?'  ' 

"Yes,  but  He  did  not  say  that  of  necessity  all  were  to  be  im 
mersed.  The  Bible  is  fertile  in  parables  and  much  that  is  said  is 
left  to  the  intelligence  of  the  reader  of  interpretation." 

"By  the  same  authority  I  have  warned  you  already  against 
'private  interpretations.'  However,  we  need  not  rest  the  case  en 
tirely  upon  that.  Take  up  your  Bible  at  your  leisure  and  examine 
well  all  accounts  given  of  cases  where  this  ordinance  was  per 
formed,  and  you  cannot  help  admitting  that  baptism  by  im 
mersion  was  the  only  way  in  which  the  ancients  accepted  that 
principle.  You  will  see  that  the  word  of  God  commands,  in 
unequivocal  language,  the  ordinance  of  baptism  by  immersion, 
and  His  Son  set  us  the  example  by  going  down  into  the  waters. 
Therefore,  those  who  do  not  perform  this  have  no  claim  upon 
the  Savior's  name,  for  they  obey  not  His  Father's  words  nor 
His  own  example." 

"You  would  hold,  then,  that  those  who  do  not  conform  liter 
ally  to  such  examples' are  not  Christians." 

"They  may  believe  in  Christian  conduct  and  practice 
righteousness  within  a  certain  sphere;  they  may  be  upright  and 
just  in  their  dealings  and  their  hearts  may  be  filled  with  love 
for  their  race,  but  they  cannot  establish  rules  of  conduct  for 
themselves  and  claim  to  act  in  the  authority  and  name  of 
Christ.  He  has  set  the  pattern  and  it  is  for  them  and  for  us  to 
follow." 

"I  never  heard  such  strange  reasoning  before,  and  it  re 
minds  me  of  a  fact  upon  which  I  have  often  dwelt — that  sophis- 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  23 

try  and  logic  may  both  rest  upon  the  same  foundation,  not, 
however,  accusing  you  of  dealing  in  sophistry  or  claiming  that 
in  all  respects  my  words  have  been  those  of  logic.  Now,  to 
follow  your  theme  further  in  the  same  vein  and  employing 
precisely  your  method  of  arriving  at  conclusions — those  who  do 
not,  for  instance,  practice  the  laying  on  of  hands  for  the  healing 
of  the  sick,  or  for  the  casting  out  of  real  or  imaginary  devils; 
who  do  not,  for  example,  subscribe  to  all  the  superstitions  and 
resort  to  the  practices  enjoined  by  the  Bible — which  practices 
must  have  had  reference  to  a  time  in  which  the  domain  of 
science  was  so  limited  that  it  could  not  even  comprehend  the 
present — that  all  such  people,  I  say,  are  also  outside  the  pale  of 
Christianity — are  pagans,  infidels,  in  fact?" 

"You  state  part  of  the  proposition  correctly  enough,  but 
your  conclusion  is  unjust — unjust  because  not  a  natural  out 
growth  of  the  premises  stated,  and  also  unjust  because  con 
taining  a  reflection.' 

"I  meant  no  reflection  at  all." 

"So  I  may  readily  believe.  Now,  a  man  may  be  entirely  out 
side  the  pale  of  practical,  or  if  you  prefer  it,  modern  Christianity 
and  still  be  neither  a  pagan  nor  an  infidel;  while  he  may  be 
inside  it  and  not  practice  the  things  spoken  of,  by  means  of 
which  he  would  be  as  much  at  variance  with  the  requirements  of 
our  Father  and  Savior,  perhaps,  as  the  others  named,  and  none 
of  them  be  of  necessity  bad  people,  or  among  those  wholly 
condemned." 

"Then  you  believe  in  the  actual  practice  of  laying  on  of 
hands  as  well  as  baptism  by  immersion?" 

"Assuredly  I  do." 

"And  practice  it,  perhaps?" 

"Whenever  necessary,  yes." 

"Well,  for  fear  you  may  not  wish  to  try  it  here,  and  as  it  is 
nearly  bed  time,  I  will  relieve  you  of  one  of  the  'devils,'  and  the 
power  of  'casting  out'  can  be  held  in  reserve  for  some  future  oc 
casion." 

"My  dear  sir,  you  do  us  both  injustice.  No  one  would  put 
you  in  such  a  category,  and  it  is  not  a  part  of  the  work  of  a 
Christian  to  come  into  a  circle  as  I  have  and  engender  harsh 
feelings,  far  from  it." 

"Oh,  no  matter.  We  might  talk  again  at  another  time,  when 
I  may  be  pleased  to  continue  our  remarks,  but  not  tonight,  as  I 


24  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

only  intended  remaining  a  short  time,  having  an  important 
engagement  which  I  was  compelled  to  make  since  I  saw  you 
last  evening;  so,  if  you  will  excuse  me,  I  will  wish  you  all  good 
evening." 

And  so  saying,  the  churchman,  in  not  a  very  pleasant  mood, 
withdrew. 

Said  Brown:  "Stranger,  I  am  somewhat  familiar  with  the 
doctrines  of  different  Christian  societies,  and  from  the  way  you 
expressed  yourself  regarding  the  personality  of  God,  I  would  like 
very  much  to  hear  your  views  regarding  other  differences.  If 
the  rest  of  your  views  are  as  reasonable  as  these  you  have  given 
expression  to,  I  should  like  very  much  to  hear  them,  and  you  can 
now  proceed  without  interruption.  Do  you  differ  from  these 
ministers  very  much  in  other  principles?" 

"I  am  afraid  the  difference  on  many  very  important  prin 
ciples  is  just  as  great  as  the  difference  concerning  the  personality 
of  God.  But  if  you  really  desire  to  go  with  me  in  this  search 
after  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  the  others  are  willing,  I  assure  you 
it  will  give  me  great  pleasure." 

Unanimous  approval  was  expressed  at  once,  and  Mr. 
Brown  continued,  saying: 

"I  never  before  had  as  great  a  desire  in  this  direction,  and 
must  confess  that  my  curiosity  has  become  quite  aroused." 

"Then,"  said  Durant,  "we  will  take  King  James'  transla 
tion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the  law  book,  and  'Seek  ye  first 
the  kingdom  of  God'  for  our  text;  and  if  we  should  discover 
before  we  have  finished  that  the  teachings  of  men  differ  greatly 
from  the  teachings  of  Christ,  I  will  be  somewhat  justified  in 
saying  that  religionists  have  'transgressed  the  laws,  changed  the 
ordinance,  broken  the  everlasting  covenant.'  '  (Isaiah  xxiv:5; 
Jeremiah  ii:13). 

"Very  well,"  said  Mr.  Brown,  "I  will  proceed,"  and 
obtaining  the  family  Bible  he  continued:  "And  should  your 
assertions  prove  correct,  it  might  perhaps  account  for  the  in 
crease  of  infidelity,  and  it  might  also  cause  others  as  well  as 
myself  to  stop  and  consider.  Now,  then,  to  the  'law  and  the 
testimony.'  Give  me  the  chapter  and  verse,  that  I  may  know 
you  make  no  mistake." 

The  doctor  then  for  the  first  time  took  part,  saying  ^"1  am 
also  becoming  very  much  interested,  and  think  I  shall  join  you 
with  my  Bible.  Let  us  all  come  into  the  circle." 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  25 

"All  right,  we  will  examine  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
from  the  Bible,  principle  by  principle.  In  order  to  have  a  clear 
understanding  concerning  this,  it  will  be  necessary  for  us  to  go 
back  to  the  days  of  our  Father  Adam.  Through  the  transgres 
sion  of  our  first  parents,  death  came  upon  all  the  human  family, 
and  mankind  could  not,  of  themselves,  overcome  the  same  and 
obtain  immortality.  To  substantiate  this,  see  first,  second  and 
third  chapters  of  Genesis,  Romans  5th  chapter  and  12th  verse, 
and  I.  Corinthians  15th  chapter  and  21st  and  22nd  verses. 
But  in  order  that  they  should  not  perish,  God  sent  His  Son 
Jesus  Christ  into  the  world  to  satisfy  this  broken  law  and  to 
deliver  mankind  from  the  power  of  death.  (John  iii:16;  Romans 
v:8;  John  iv:9).  And  as  all  became  subject  to  death  by  Adam, 
so  will  all  men  be  resurrected  from  death  through  the  atone 
ment  of  Christ  (I.  Cor.  xv:20-23;  Rom.  v:12-19;  Mark  xvi:15, 
16),  and  will  stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of  God  to  answer 
for  their  own  sins  and  not  for  Adam's  transgression.  (Acts 
xvii:31;  Rev.  xx:12-15;  Matt.  xvi:27).  Am  I  right  as  far  as  I 
have  gone?" 

"Yes,"  said  the  doctor,  "I  have  been  following  you  with 
your  quotations,  and  find  them  correct.  Proceed." 

"Then  I  have  proved  one  of  the  principles  of  some  of  the  so- 
called  Christians  incorrect,  for  they  do  not  believe  that  the 
wicked  will  have  the  same  chance  of  resurrection  as  the  "right 
eous.  Jesus  Christ  did  not  die  for  our  individual  sins,  only  on 
condition  that  we  conform  to  the  plan  He  has  marked  out, 
which  will  bring  us  a  remission  of  our  sins.  The  only  way  we 
can  prove  that  we  love  Him  is  by  keeping  His  commandments 
(John  xiv:15);  therefore,  if  we  say  we  love  God  and  keep  not 
His  commandments,  we  are  liars  and  the  truth  is  not  in  us. 
(I.  John  ii:4).  I  think  I  have  proved  to  your  satisfaction  that 
there  is  something  defective  with  their  understanding  of  the 
attributes  of  God,  and  I  think  I  can  prove  also  that  they  do 
not  keep  His  commandments.  Christ  has  given  us  to  understand 
two  things  which  you  must  remember  while  on  this  search  after 
the  'kingdom  of  God/  First,  that  we  must  follow  Him;  secondly, 
that  when  He  left  His  disciples  He  was  to  send  them  the  Com 
forter  that  would  lead  them  into  all  truth;  therefore  we  must 
follow  Christ  and  accept  all  the  principles  which  were  taught 
by  His  disciples  while  in  possession  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  though 
it  should  prove  the  world  to  be  in  error," 


26  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

"Thus  far  your  arguments  are  reasonable,  also  in  ac 
cordance  with  Holy  Writ;  and  as  there  is  no  other  name  given 
us  except  Jesus  Christ  whereby  we  can  be  saved  (Acts  iv:12), 
you  may  now  lay  before  us  the  conditions;  but  give  us  chapter 
and  verse,  as  I  said  before,  that  we  may  know  you  speak  cor 
rectly." 

"We  will  now  examine  into  the  conditions;  but  first  re 
member  that  God  does  not  send  men  into  the  world  for  the 
purpose  of  preaching  contrary  doctrines,  for  this  always  creates 
confusion,  and  God  is  not  the  author  of  confusion,  but  of  peace. 
(I.  Cor.  xiv:  33).  Paul  has  said,  if  any  man  teach  another  gospel 
let  him  be  accursed.  (Gal.  i:8,9).  The  first  condition  is  this: 
To  believe  there  is  a  God  (not  the  kind  mentioned  in  the 
English  prayer  book),  but  the  God  that  created  man  in  His 
own  image,  and  to  have  faith  in  that  God  and  in  Jesus  Christ 
whom  He  has  sent." 

"Go  on,"  said  the  party  in  concert. 

"Well,"  continued  Durant,  "The  kind  of  faith  required  is 
that  which  will  enable  a  man,  under  all  circumstances,  to  say, 
'I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ;  for  it  is  the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation.'  (Rom.  i:16).  This  is  the  kind  of  faith  by 
which  Noah  prepared  an  ark;  by  which  the  worlds  were  framed; 
by  which  the  Red  Sea  was  crossed  as  on  dry  land;  by  which  the 
walls* of  Jericho  fell  down;  it  was  by  this  faith  that  kingdoms 
were  subdued;  righteousness  was  wrought;  promises  were  ob 
tained,  and  the  mouths  of  lions  were  closed.  (Heb.  xi:32,  38.) 
This  faith  comes  by  hearing  the  word  of  God  (Rom.  x:14),  and 
the  lack  of  this  faith,  and  the  absence  of  prayer  and  fasting, 
caused  even  the  apostles  to  be  unsuccessful  on  one  occasion  in 
casting  out  devils.  (Matt.  xvii:14,  20.)  No  wonder,  then,  that 
without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God.  (Heb.  xi:6. )  Faith, 
then,  is  the  first  grand  and  glorious  stepping  stone  to  that 
celestial  pathway  leading  towards  the  eternal  rest.  The  more 
we  search  into  eternal  truth,  the  more  we  discover  that  God 
works  upon  natural  principles.  All  the  requirements  which  He 
makes  of  us  are  very  plain  and  simple.  How  natural  that  the 
principle  of  faith  should  be  the  primary  one  of  our  salvation! 
With  what  principle  are  we  more  familiar?  Faith  is  the  first 
great  'principle  governing  all  things;  but  great  and  grand  as  it 
is,  it  is  dead  without  works.  (James  ii:14-17).  We  must  not 
expect  salvation  by  simply  having  faith  that  Jesus  is^the  Christ, 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  27 

for  the  devils  in  purgatory  are  that  far  advanced.  (James  ii:19 ). 
In  fact,  if  you  will  read  the  entire  second  chapter  of  James  you 
will  see  that  faith  without  works  is  as  dead  and  helpless  as  the 
body  after  the  spirit  has  taken  its  departure.  It  is  utter  folly 
to  think  of  gaining  an  exaltation  in  His  presence  unless  we  obey 
the  principles  He  advocated  (Matt.  vii:21),  for  no  one  speaks 
truthfully  by  saying  he  is  a  disciple  of  Christ  while  not  observing 
His  commandments.  (John  viii:31).  In  fact,  the  only  way  by 
which  man  can  truthfully  say  he  loves  Jesus  Christ  is  by  keep 
ing  His  commandments."  (John  xiv:12-21). 

"Is  it  not  recorded  in  Holy  Writ,"  said  the  doctor,  "that 
if  we  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  we  will  be  saved?" 

"You  have  referred  to  the  words  used  by  Paul  and  Silas  to 
the  keeper  of  the  prison.  These  disciples  were  asked  by  the 
keeper  wrhat  he  should  do  to  be  saved,  and  he  was  assured,  as  you 
have  quoted,  'Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt 
be  saved,  and  thy  house.'  Then  the  disciples  immediately  laid 
before  them  those  principles  which  constituted  true  belief,  and 
not  until  this  man  and  his  house  had  embraced  the  principles 
taught  by  these  disciples  were  they  filled  with  true  belief  and 
really  rejoiced.  (Acts  xvi:31-33).  You  see  by  this  example 
that  we  must  not  deceive  ourselves  by  thinking  that  we  can 
be  hearers  of  the  word  only  and  not  doers."  (James  i:22,  23). 

"But,  friend,"  said  the  lawyer,  "here  is  a  passage  found  in 
the  tenth  chapter  of  Romans,  which,  in  my  opinion,  will  be 
extremely  hard  for  you  to  explain.  The  passage  referred  to 
reads  as  follows:  'If  thou  shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  shalt  believe  in  thine  heart  that  God  hath  raised 
Him  from  the  dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved.'  Now,  then,  it  looks 
to  me  as  if  salvation  is  here  promised  through  faith  alone.  How 
do  you  explain  it?" 

"Very  easily.  Let  us  thoroughly  examine  this  passage  in  all 
its  different  phases.  In  the  first  place,  this  letter  was  written  by 
Paul  to  individuals  who  were  already  members  of  the  church. 
They  had  rendered  obedience  to  the  laws  of  salvation,  and 
having  complied  with  those  requirements  were  entitled  to 
salvation  providing  their  testimony  remained  within  them  like 
a  living  spring;  and  in  order  that  they  should  not  become  luke 
warm,  Paul  exhorted  them  to  continue  bearing  testimony  of  the 
divinity  of  Christ,  and  not  let  their  hearts  lose  sight  of  the  fact 
that  God  had  raised  His  Son  from  the  dead,  and  inasmuch  as 


28  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

they  kept  themselves  in  this  condition,  salvation  would  be 
theirs.  This  is  the  only  sensible  view  one  can  take  of  this  passage. 
Unquestionably,  Paul  was  speaking  to  sincere  members  of  the 
church,  who  had  been  correctly  initiated  into  the  fold  of  Christ, 
not  aliens  living  1800  years  after." 

"That  appears  to  be  correct,  and  is  satisfactory;  but  further 
on  in  the  same  chapter  we  find  this  expression:  'For  whosoever 
shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved.'  It  appears 
to  me  here  that  reference  is  not  made  to  those  who  had  em 
braced  the  gospel  and  those  who  had  the  faith,  but  salvation  is 
made  general  to  whomsoever  shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord."  (Rom.x:13). 

"Exactly,  but  the  next  verse  gives  an  explanation  so  simple 
that  none  can  fail  to  understand  it:  'How,  then,  shall  they  call 
on  Him  in  whom  they  have  not  believed?  and  how  shall  they 
believe  in  Him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard,  and  how  shall 
they  hear  without  a  preacher?  So  then,  faith  cometh  by  hearing, 
and  hearing  by  the  word  of  God.'  In  other  words,  if  there  is 
faith,  there  have  been  works,  and  having  true  faith,  no  person 
will  remain  in  that  condition  without  complying  with  father 
works  of  salvation  to  which  that  faith  urges  him." 

"I  see,  I  see,"  said  Brown,  the  others  remaining  silent,  but 
interested;  "you  are  right,  but  I  never  looked  at  the  matter  in 
that  way  before." 

"Now,  then,  ladies  and  gentlemen,"  said  Durant:  "I 
maintain  as  before  stated,  that  faith  is  the  first  principle  of  the 
gospel  leading  to  salvation,  but  it  will  not  bring  us  to  the  top  of 
the  glorious  gospel  ladder  without  the  other  principles." 

"Well,  suppose  we  accept  this  as  the  first  round  in  the 
gospel  ladder,  where  will  we  find  the  second?" 

"To  explain  this  question  involves,  perhaps,  some  little 
time,  and  as  it  must  be  near  the  'witching  hour'  of  midnight, 
I  would  not  care  to  be  responsible  for  extending  the  sitting 
beyond,  or  even  up  to,  that  time.  To  give  this  information  is, 
in  some  measure,  my  errand  among  you,  and  if  desired  I  shall 
be  pleased  to  meet  with  you  again.  Before  leaving  I  hope  to  be 
able  to  address  the  citizens  publicly,  and  will  do  so  if  a  suitable 
place  can  be  obtained." 

Both  the  doctor  and  the  lawyer  were  disposed  to  remon 
strate  against  adjournment,  and  there  seemed  to  be  none  who 
were  not  willing  to  remain  and  hearken  unto  that  which  to  them 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  29 

was  somewhat  in  the  nature  of  an  awakening,  notwithstanding, 
as  stated,  it  was  growing  late,  and  the  exercises  had  been  purely 
colloquial.  It  might  be  mentioned  that  only  the  more  impor 
tant  parts  of  the  conversation  have  been  produced  here — for 
the  reproduction  of  everything  in  the  nature  of  mere  colloquy, 
the  auxiliary  questions,  answers  and  suggestions,  would  make 
this  a  large  book  instead  of  a  small  one.  Besides,  the  full  con 
versation  would  be  no  more  interesting  for  the  particular  object 
to  which  this  book  is  devoted  than  would  the  matter  reported. 

The  visitors  took  their  departure  with  evident  regret,  albeit 
their  interest  in  the  occasion  was  more  attributable  to  un 
satisfied  curiosity  than  to  concurrence  in  all  that  the  stranger 
had  said. 

"He  can  talk  Bible  by  the  yard,"  said  one. 

"Yes,  and  show  what  it  means  better  than  a  regular 
minister,"  said  another. 

"He  said  he  had  a  mission  among  us,"  chimed  in  a  third; 
"I  wonder  what  it  can  be?" 

The  parting  on  the  veranda  was  one  in  which  friendly 
feelings  prevailed  all  around,  and  the  meeting  on  the  morrow, 
when  the  second  of  the  grand  fundamental  principles  of  the 
gospel  was  to  be  explained,  seemed  uppermost  in  every  mind. 


CHAPTER  V. 
Further  Discussion  of  the  First  Principles. 

The  audience  had  increased  in  numbers  when  the  time  for 
the  continuance  of  the  gospel  exposition  arrived.  Rev.  Fitz- 
allen  was  not  present;  he  had  an  engagement  elsewhere,  was 
the  word  he  left;  but  his  absence  was  compensated  for  by  the 
presence  of  two  or  three  others. 

But  little  time  was  spent  in  formality,  and  a  beginning  was 
effected  by  our  legal  friend  saying: 

"Mr.  Durant,  you  closed  last  night  with  a  definition  of 
the  first  principles  in  the  series  of  steps  to  be  taken  by  the  con 
vert  to  Christianity,  with  a  promise  that  tonight  we  should  have 
the  second  explained.  Will  you  now  proceed  to  fulfill  the 
promise?" 

"Most  willingly,  if  it  is  desired." 


30  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

Unanimous  approval  was  at  once  manifested,  and  the  west 
ern  man  proceeded. 

"The  second  follows  the  first,  just  as  naturally  as  the  second 
step  follows  the  first  when  a  child  learns  to  walk.    When  faith 
in  God  is  once  created,  the  knowledge  that  we  have  at  some 
time,  perhaps  many  times  during  our  lives,  done  things  dis 
pleasing    to    Him,    naturally    follows   immediately,    therefore 
repentance  makes  its  appearance  as  the  second   principle   of 
the  gospel.     When  John   came   preaching   in  the  wilderness, 
as  the  forerunner  of  Christ,  his  message  to  the  people  was, 
'Repent  ye:  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.'      (Matt. 
iii:2).  When  Jesus  came  into  Galilee  preaching  the  gospel  of  the 
kingdom  of  God,  it  was  with  a  message  calling  them  to  repent 
ance.      (Mark  i:15).    When  He  chose  His  disciples  and  began 
sending  them  forth,  it  was  to  call  mankind  to  repentance. 
(Mark  vi:7-12).     When  He  upbraided  the  cities  wherein  the 
most  of  His  mighty  works  were  done,  it  was  because  they  re 
pented  not.    (Matt.  xi:20).    True  repentance  is  that  which  will 
cause  him  who  stole  to  steal  no  more;  that  which  will  keep 
corrupt   communications  from   our   mouths;   that  which   will 
cause  us  to  so  conduct  our  walks  through  life  as  not  to  grieve 
the  Spirit  of  God;  that  which  will  cause  all  bitterness,  wrath, 
anger,  and  evil  speaking  to  be  put  away  from  us,  and  will  make 
us  kind  one  to  another,  tender-hearted  and  forgiving  even  as 
God  for  Christ's  sake  has  forgiven  us.     (Ephesians  iv:28-32)c 
When  he  who  has  committed  a  sin  shall  commit  it  no  more, 
then  he  has  repented  with  that  Godly  sorrow  which  worketh 
repentance  to  salvation,  and  not  with  the  sorrow  of  the  world, 
bringing  with  it  death.    (II.  Cor.  vii:10).  When  a  sinner  repents 
with  such  repentance  more  joy  is  found  in  heaven  than  over 
ninety  and  nine  just  persons  who  need  no  repentance.     (Luke 
xv  :7).   This,  then,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  is  the  second  round  in 
the  gospel  ladder  according  to  the  plan  given  us  by  the  Master, 
and  without  it,  faith  is  of  no  substantial  consequence  whatever." 
"Your  reasoning  is  both  logical  and  just,"  said  Brown, 
"and  no  one  can  find  fault  with  those  doctrines.   This  world  of 
ours  would  certainly  be  more  pleasant  if  these  teachings  were 
followed,  and  when  a  person  is  filled  with  that  kind  of  faith, 
and  has  truly  repented  with  such  repentance,  it  must  be  mani 
fested  that  he  is  entitled  to  salvation." 

"But  he  must  not  stop  at  that,"  the  speaker  went  on, 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  31 

"there  are  other  principles  just  as  important,  just  as  necessary, 
for  him  to  obey.  If  I  am  in  possession  of  enough  faith  to  con 
vince  me  that  I  have  sinned  against  you,  and  the  knowledge  of 
this  causes  me  sincerely  to  repent,  I  must  not  and  cannot  rest 
until  I  am  satisfied  I  have  your  forgiveness  for  the  wrong.  So 
it  is  with  sinning  against  God  and  His  laws:  He  has  marked  out 
the  path  of  repentance  and  it  is  our  duty  to  follow  that  divine 
way  until  we  arrive  at  the  sacred  altar  of  forgiveness.  Sin  must 
be  forgiven  before  it  can  be  wiped  out,  and  God  in  His  wisdom 
selected  and  placed  in  His  Church  water  baptism,  as  spoken 
of  last  night,  for  this  purpose.  It  is  a  means  whereby  man  can 
receive  forgiveness  of  sin." 

"And  do  you  really  believe  that  baptism  brings  forgive 
ness  of  sin?"  queried  the  lawyer. 

"Certainly,  provided,  however,  honest  faith  and  sincere 
repentance  go  before  it,  and  the  ordinance  is  administered  in  the 
proper  way  by  one  who  is  endowed  with  divine  authority; 
otherwise  I  believe  it  is  of  no  avail  whatever." 

"It  seems  to  me  you  surround  the  principle  of  baptism 
with  more  safeguards  than  anyone  else  of  whom  I  have  ever 
heard.  Why  so?" 

"Perhaps  I  do,  and  yet  it  should  not  be  the  case.  Every 
principle  of  the  gospel  should  be  well  and  carefully  protected, 
and  the  failure  on  the  part  of  man  to  do  this  is  the  main  cause 
of  so  many  different  so-called  plans  of  salvation  existing  among 
us  today,  when  there  should  be  only  one  true  and  perfect  plan, 
as  found  in  the  days  of  Christ." 

"You  are  certainly  giving  me  ample  information  on  reli 
gious  conditions.  It  does  seem  strange  that  there  should  be  so 
many  different  roads,  leading,  as  is  claimed,  in  one  direction. 
I  declare,  I  never  thought  of  that  before." 

"Well,  we  will  try  to  cover  all  these  points  before  we  finish. 
Let  us  examine  this  principle.  Let  us  see  if  the  idea  of  water 
baptism  appears  reasonable.  The  Lord  has  wisely  and  kindly 
selected  this  form  of  ordinance  for  the  remission  of  sins.  It 
was  with  this  object  in  view  that  John  advocated  the  principle. 
(Mark  i:4).  Peter  promised  it  on  the  day  of  Pentecost.  (Acts 
ii:38).  Saul  also  received  aid  to  arise  and  have  his  sins  washed 
away.  (Acts  xxii:16).  And  so  it  was  taught  by  different 
disciples  as  a  means  whereby  God  would  forgive  sins." 


32  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

"And  as  you  have  already  stated,  there  are  various  modes 
of  baptism  among  different  sects.  What  is  your  method?" 

"The  only  correct  form,  as  stated  before,  is  that  explained 
in  the  Bible.  Baptism  was  performed  anciently  by  immersion, 
in  fact,  no  other  mode  was  thought  of  until  centuries  after  the  day 
of  Christ.  The  word  baptize  is  from  the  Greek  baptizo  or  bapto, 
meaning  to  plunge  or  immerse,  and  such  noted  writers  as 
Polybius,  Strabo,  Dion  Cassius,  Mosheim,  Luther,  Calvin, 
Bossuet,  Schaal,  Baxter,  Jeremy  Taylor,  Robinson,  and  others, 
all  agree  that  with  the  ancients  immersion,  and  no  other  form, 
was  baptism.  The  holy  record  itself  explains  the  mode  so  plainly 
that  even  a  wayfaring  man  might  understand.  John  selected 
a  certain  place  on  account  of  there  being  much  water.  (John 
iii:23).  Christ  Himself  was  baptized  in  a  river,  after  which  He 
came  up  out  of  the  water.  (Mark  i:5-10).  Both  Philip  and  the 
eunuch  went  down  into  the  water  (Acts  viii:38,  39),  and  Paul 
likens  baptism  to  the  burial  and  resurrection  of  Christ,  dying 
from  sin,  buried  in  water,  and  a  resurrection  to  a  new  life. 
(Rom.  vi:3-5).  Jesus  declares  that  a  man  must  be  born  of  the 
water  as  well  as  of  the  Spirit.  (Johniii:5).  By  being  immersed 
we  are  born  of  the  water,  and  we  cannot  liken  baptism  to  a 
birth  when  performed  in  any  other  way.  How  mankind  can 
accept  any  other  form,  in  the  face  of  all  these  facts,  is  more  than 
I  can  account  for.  I  think  enough  has  been  said  to  show  that  I 
am  correct  in  my  views  regarding  the  object  and  mode  of  bap 
tism,  so  now  let  us  enquire  who  are  proper  subjects." 

"Why,  all  who  have  souls  to  save,  I  suppose,"  said  the 
doctor. 

"Yes,  providing  they  have  obeyed  the  two  principles 
already  mentioned;  that  is,  faith  and  repentance;  for  Christ 
commanded  His  apostles  to  teach  before  baptizing.  (Matthew, 
xxviii:19  and  20).  The  candidate  must  believe  before  he  can 
be  baptized.  (Mark  xvi:16).  Before  Philip  baptized  the  people 
of  Samaria  they  believed  the  Gospel  as  he  taught  it.  (Acts 
viii:12).  When  the  eunuch  asked  for  baptism  at  the  hands  of 
this  same  disciple,  Philip  answered:  'If  thou  believest  with  all 
thine  heart,  thou  mayest.'  (Acts  viii:37).  All  persons,  then, 
who  are  capable  of  understanding,  are  fit  subjects  for  baptism 
as  soon  as  they  believe  and  have  repented.  None  are  exempt, 
not  even  was  Cornelius  of  old  who  was  so  generous  that  a 
report  of  his  good  deeds  reached  the  throne  of  God.  His  prayers 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  33 

were  so  mingled  with  faith  that  they  brought  down  an  angel 
from  heaven;  yet  through  baptism  alone  was  it  possible  that  he 
could  gain  membership  in  the  fold  of  Christ.  (Acts  x).  We 
see,  then,  that  all,  except  little  children,  are  proper  subjects  for 
this  ordinance,  providing,  as  stated,  they  have  faith,  and  have 
truly  repented  of  their  sins." 

"And  do  you  claim  that  little  children  are  exempt?"  said 
the  doctor. 

"I  do;  baptism  is  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  little  children 
being  free  from  sin,  are  of  necessity  exempt." 

"I  do  not  see  how  you  make  that  doctrine  accord  with  the 
teachings  of  the  Bible.  Did  not  Jesus  say,  'Suffer  little  children 
to  come  unto  me?'  ' 

"He  did,  but  instead  of  administering  the  ordinance  of 
baptism  unto  them,  He  took  them  in  His  arms  and  blessed  them, 
declaring  at  the  same  time  that  they  were  pure  and  free  from 
sin  like  unto  those  who  were  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  A  little 
child  is  free  from  sin,  is  pure  in  heart,  humble  and  merciful, 
in  fact  is  the  great  example  of  goodness  which  Christ  points  out 
for  us  to  follow.  (Mark  x:13-16).  This  ordinance,  then,  is 
for  people  who  are  old  enough  to  embrace  it  intelligently,  not 
for  children  who  cannot  understand  its  significance,  and  who 
already  belong  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

"We  have  now  examined  three  of  the  fundamental  prin 
ciples  of  the  gospel  of  salvation.  There  is  one  more  that  I 
wish  to  touch  upon,  after  which  we  will  discuss  a  subject  that 
is  of  more  interest  to  you,  perhaps,  than  any  of  these.  The  prin 
ciple  which  I  wish  to  speak  of  now,  is  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  which  in  olden  times  always  followed  the  embracing  of 
the  principles  we  have  discussed,  and  when  once  received 
brought  with  it  some  of  the  gifts  of  the  gospel.  When  the  first 
sermon  was  delivered  after  the  crucifixion  of  Christ,  at  the  time 
when  the  apostles  were  endowed  with  power  from  on  high,  a 
multitude  of  people  were  pricked  in  their  hearts,  and  asked 
Peter  and  the  rest  of  the  apostles  what  they  should  do.  Peter 
undertook  to  answer  this  all-important  question,  and  so  far  as 
authority  to  do  so  was  concerned,  we  must  admit  that  he,  of  all 
men  at  that  peculiar  time,  was  fully  capable,  for  he  was  in  pos 
session  of  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  God  bestowed  upon  him  by 
Christ  Himself.  He  was  the  chief  apostle  and,  with  his  brethren, 
had  been  endowed  with  power  from  above.  Therefore,  he,  more 


34  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

than  any  minister  of  our  day,  occupied  a  place  that  enabled  him 
to  answer  correctly,  and  with  authority." 

"You  are  stating  the  case  properly,  but  what  did  he  tell 
them?"  queried  the  interested  man  of  law. 

"His  answer  is  found  in  the  second  chapter  of  Acts,  be 
ginning  with  the  38th  verse.  You  will  observe  that  as  soon  as 
he  discovered  that  they  had  faith,  he  immediately  taught  them 
repentance,  then  baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  followed 
these  doctrines  with  a  promise  of  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"Yes,  commencing  at  the  verse  mentioned,  it  says:  'Then 
Peter  said  unto  them,  Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you 
in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye 
shall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  For  the  promise  is  unto 
you,  and  to  your  children,  and  to  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as 
many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call/  ' 

"But  how  were  they  to  receive  the  Holy  Ghost?" 

"By  the  laying  on  of  hands.  When  Peter  went  down  into 
Samaria  for  the  purpose  of  bestowing  this  gift  on  those  whom 
Philip  had  baptized,  he  did  it  by  the  laying  on  of  hands.  (Acts 
viii:17).  Ananias  conferred  it  upon  Paul  in  the  same  manner 
(Acts  ix:17),  and  Paul  did  the  same  in  the  case  of  those  who 
were  baptized  at  Ephesus  (Acts  xix:2-16),  and  when  people 
received  this  birth  of  the  Spirit  (John  iii:5),  they  also  received 
the  promised  blessings;  they  were  entitled  to  the  signs  which  He 
promised  would  follow;  for, said  He,  'These  signs  shall  follow 
them  that  believe;  in  my  name  shall  they  cast  out  devils; 
they  shall  speak  with  new  tongues;  they  shall  take  up  serpents; 
and  if  they  drink  any  deadly  thing  it  shall  not  hurt  them; 
they  shall  lay  hands  on  the  sick  and  they  shall  recover.'  (Mark 
xvi:  17,  18).  We  have  now  discovered  the  conditions:  Faith, 
repentance,  baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  the  laying 
on  of  hands  for  the  reception  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  with  the  prom 
ise  of  Christ  that  the  signs  will  follow.  Can  you  tell  me  now, 
which  of  all  these  different  denominations  has  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ?  Or  as  Wesley  has  questioned  in  one  of  his  hymns 
which  we  may  with  profit  quote  in  full:  'Show  me  where  true 
Christians  live'  " 

"Happy  the  souls  that  first  believ'd, 

To  Jesus  and  each  other  cleav'd, 
'     Joined  by  the  unction  from  above, 
In  mystic  fellowship  of  love. 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  35 

"Meek,  simple  followers  of  the  Lamb, 
They  liv'd,  and  spake,  and  thought  the  same; 
They  joyfully  conspired  to  raise 
Their  ceaseless  sacrifice  of  praise. 

"With  grace  abundantly  endued, 
A  pure  believing  multitude, 
They  all  were  of  one  heart  and  soul, 
And  only  love  inspired  the  whole. 

"Oh,  what  an  age  of  golden  days! 
Oh,  what  a  choice,  peculiar  race! 
Wash'd  in  the  Lamb's  all-cleansing  blood, 
Anointed  kings  and  priests  to  God. 

"Where  shall  I  wander  now  to  find 
Successors  they  have  left  behind? 
The  faithful,  whom  I  seek  in  vain, 
Are  'minish'd  from  the  sons  of  men. 

"Ye  diff rent  sects,  who  all  declare, 
'Lo,  here  is  Christ,'  or  'Christ  is  there!' 
Your  stronger  proofs  divinely  give, 
And  show  me  where  true  Christians  live." 

"You  must  remember,  my  friend,  that  the  signs  were  only 
given  in  order  to  establish  the  church  in  the  day  of  the  apostles, 
but  now  they  are  abrogated  and  are  no  longer  needed." 

'  'To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony,'  "  replied  Durant,  "and 
give  me  chapter  and  verse  to  substantiate  the  assertion  you 
have  just  made." 

"If  you  will  read  the  13th  chapter  of  the  1st  Corinthians, 
you  will  learn  that  'Whether  there  be  prophecies  they  shall 
fail,  and  whether  there  be  tongues  they  shall  cease.'  ' 

"If  you  will  take  pains  to  read  the  two  Verses  following, 
you  will  see  that  'we  know  in  part,  and  we  prophesy  in  part. 
But  when  that  which  is  perfect  is  come,  then  that  which  is  in 
part  shall  be  done  away.'  My  friend,  instead  of  this  quotation 
proving  that  these  things  are  done  away,  it  establishes  the 
assertion  that  they  shall  remain  until  perfection  shall  come. 
Surely  no  sane  man  will  say  that  we  have  come  to  perfection." 

"I  have  understood  that  these  gifts  were  no  longer  needed. 
This  certainly  is  the  conclusion  the  ministers  of  the  day  have 
come  to." 


36  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

"But  this  is  not  surprising  to  me,  for  this  good  old  Bible 
declares  that  the  time  will  come  when  the  people  will  turn 
from  sound  doctrine  to  fables."  (II.  Tim.  iv:4). 

"I  must  admit  that  you  have  convinced  me  that  baptism  is 
a  necessity,  and  when  I  am  baptized,  the  ordinance  will  be  per 
formed  in  the  proper  manner,"  said  the  doctor. 

"I  am  pleased  to  learn  that,  but  I  may  have  another  sur 
prise  for  you  yet.  May  I  ask,  who  do  you  intend  shall  baptize 
you?" 

"My  minister,  I  suppose;  why?" 

"If  the  words  of  the  Bible  be  true,  there  may  be  a  doubt  as 
to  whether  your  minister  is  authorized  to  baptize  you." 

"Do  you  mean  to  prove  that  these  men,  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  have  no  authority  to  officiate  in  that  ordinance?  I 
wonder  what  you  will  undertake  next,  but  proceed,  for  I  am 
now  prepared  for  surprises." 

"I  assure  you,  my  dear  sir,  I  only  wish  to  refer  to  a  few 
doctrines  from  the  Bible  which  are  necessary  to  be  understood 
by  you  in  order  that  you  may  obtain  eternal  life.  Thus  far  we 
have  only  examined  the  first  principles  of  the  gospel,  but  now 
we  will  speak  of  the  officers  whom  Christ  placed  in  His  Church, 
and  learn  by  what  means  men  receive  authority  to  act  in  the 
name  of  God.  Paul  tells  us  that  God  has  placed  'first  apostles, 
secondarily  prophets,  thirdly  teachers,  after  which  gifts  of 
healing,'  etc.  (I.  Cor.  xii:28),  and  says  the  work  is  built  upon 
the  foundation  of  apostles.  (Eph.  ii:20).  He  furthermore  de 
clares  that  these  officers  have  been  placed  in  the  Church  for 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  to  remain  until  we  all  come  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  truth.  (Eph.  iv:ll-13).  Have  all  mankind 
come  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth?  If  not,  why  has  the  Church 
dispensed  with  the  officers  that  God  placed  in  it  for  the  purpose 
of  bringing  all  to  a  unity  of  the  faith?  Paul  tells  us  that  these 
officers  were  placed  in  the  Church  to  keep  us  from  being  tossed 
to  and  fro  and  carried  about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine  which  is 
taught  by  man.  (Eph.  iv:12-14).  At  the  present  time,  when 
men  declare  that  they  have  no  need  of  apostles  or  prophets, 
they  are  divided,  and  subdivided,  and  in  fact  carried  about  by 
every  doctrine  that  is  promulgated — as  Paul  saw  that  they 
would  be,  if  inspired  apostles  and  prophets  were  not  found  to 
lead  them.  In  losing  these  officers,  the  Church  lost  her  author 
ity,  together  with  all  her  gifts  and  graces,  and  the  so-called 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  37 

Christian  churches  today  are  disrobed  of  all  her  beautiful  gar 
ments;  and  even  those  who  pretend  to  defend  her  are  crying  out 
that  her  gifts,  graces  and  ordinances  are  useless  in  this  age  of 
the  world.  Did  Christ  establish  the  true  order  or  did  He  not? 
We  say  He  did,  and  would  ask,  has  any  man  a  right  to  change  it? 
And  if  any  man  or  even  an  angel  from  heaven  should  alter  it  in 
the  least,  will  he  not  come  under  the  condemnation  that  Paul 
uttered  when  he  said:  'Though  we  or  an  angel  from  heaven 
preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  which  we  have 
preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed?'  (Gal.  i:8).  Christ 
placed  these  officers  and  the  ordinances  in  the  Church  for  the 
perfecting  of  the  saints;  and  any  one  teaching  contrary  to  this 
is  a  perverter  of  the  gospel,  and  an  anti-Christ  in  the  full  mean 
ing  of  the  word.  The  difference  between  the  true  Church  of 
Christ  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  Catholic  Church,  with  all  her 
posterity  composing  the  whole  Protestant  world  on  the  other 
hand,  amounts  to  this:  one  had  apostles,  prophets,  etc.,  who 
led  the  Church  by  inspiration  or  by  divine  revelation;  while 
the  others  have  learned  men  to  preach  learned  men's  opinions; 
have  colleges  to  teach  divinity,  instead  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 
instead  of  preaching  the  gospel  without  hire,  their  ministers 
must  have  large  salaries  each  year,  and  they  are  not  certain  of 
the  doctrines  which  they  teach,  when  they  should  be  in  posses 
sion  of  the  gifts  of  knowledge,  prophecy  and  revelation.  Now 
then  in  what  church  do  we  find  apostles  and  prophets?" 

The  doctor  replied,  "There  are  none;  but  you  must  remem 
ber  there  must  be  a  preacher,  for  'how  shall  they  hear  without 
a  preacher?'  "  (Rom.  x:14). 

"And  in  the  next  verse  he  asks,  'How  shall  they  preach 
except  they  be  sent?'  This  same  apostle  says  that  no  man  is 
to  take  the  honor  unto  himself,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God  as 
was  Aaron.  (Heb.  v:4).  Aaron  was  called  by  revelation  (Ex. 
iv:14-17);  hence  we  see  that  no  man  is  to  preach  the  gospel 
except  he  be  called  by  revelation  from  God.  As  I  said,  instead 
of  men  being  called  by  revelation — as  the  Bible  declares  they 
should  be — in  our  day  they  argue  that  God  has  not  revealed 
Himself  for  almost  eighteen  hundred  years.  Go  and  ask  your 
minister  if  he  has  been  called  by  revelation,  and  he  will  tell 
you  that  such  manifestations  are  not  needed  now,  which  as 
sertion  I  think  will  prove  to  you  that  he  has  no  authority  to 
baptize  for  the  remission  of  sins." 


38  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

"But  did  not  Jesus  say,  'Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach 
the  gospel?'  ! 

"He  did;  but  was  He  talking  to  modern  ministers  then? 
When  He  gave  His  apostles  authority  to  preach,  did  that  give 
all  men  who  feel  disposed  to  take  the  honor  unto  themselves, 
the  same  authority?  He  gave  His  apostles  to  understand  that 
they  had  not  chosen  Him,  but  He  had  chosen  them  (John 
xv:16);  but  in  this  day  men  reverse  the  condition.  Then  again, 
He  sent  His  servants  into  the  world  to  preach  His  gospel  with 
out  purse  or  scrip.  (Luke  x:4).  Paul  says  his  reward  is  this, 
'That  when  I  preach  the  gospel  I  may  make  the  gospel  of  Christ 
without  charge,  that  I  abuse  not  my  power  in  the  gospel.' 
(I.  Cor.  ix:18).  Now,  go  and  ask  your  minister  if  he  does  the 
same,  and  I  think  you  will  find  that  he  must  have  a  salary." 

"Then  what  has  become  of  the  gospel?"  said  the  lawyer. 

"Paul  says  that  the  coming  of  Jesus  Christ  will  not  be, 
save  there  be  'a  falling  away'  (II.  Thess.  ii:3),  and  that  'in  the 
last  days  perilous  times  shall  come.'  (II.  Tim.  iiirl).  People 
'will  not  endure  sound  doctrine,'  but  will  heap  to  themselves 
teachers  having  itching  ears,  and  shall  turn  from  the  truth  to 
fables  (II.  Tim.  iv:3,  4),  and  will  have  a  form  of  Godliness 
but  will  deny  the  power  thereof.  (II.  Tim.  iii:5).  Peter  also 
says  these  false  teachers  will  make  merchandise  of  the  souls  of 
men.  (II.  Peter  ii:l-3).  They  are  doing  so  by  demanding  a 
salary  for  preparing  sermons  to  tickle  the  people's  itching  ears. 
Micah  (iiiill)  says,  their  heads  judge  for  reward,  their  priests 
teach  for  hire,  and  their  prophets  divine  for  money,  yet  they 
lean  upon  the  Lord  and  say,  is  not  the  Lord  among  us?  Now, 
my  friends,  do  not  the  different  sects  of  the  day  present  us 
with  a  literal  fulfillment  of  all  these  sayings?  Have  they  not 
transgressed  the  laws,  changed  the  ordinance  and  broken  the 
everlasting  covenant?  (Isaiah  xxiv:5).  John  Wesley,  in  his  94th 
sermon,  referring  to  the  condition  of  the  church  after  it  had  de 
parted  from  the  right  way  and  lost  the  gifts,  says:  'The  real 
cause  why  the  extraordinary  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost  were  no 
longer  to  be  found  in  the  Christian  Church  was  because  the 
Christians  were  turned  heathens  again  and  had  only  a  dead 
form  left.' 

"It  would  appear,  then,  that  God  has  forsaken  mankind 
and  left  us  without  hope,"  said  Mr.  Marshall. 

"No,  he  has  not;  but  this  falling  away    is  the  result  of 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  39 

mankind  forsaking  God,  by  changing  His  gospel  and  departing 
from  its  teachings,  as  I  have  already  shown.  But  He  has 
promised,  through  His  servants,  that  there  would  be  a  dis 
pensation  when  He  would  gather  together  all  things  in  Christ 
(Eph.  i:10),  and  would  restore  all  things  which  He  has  spoken 
by  the  mouth  of  all  His  holy  prophets  since  the  world  began. 
(Acts  iii:20,  21).  This  dispensation  was  called  the  dispensation 
of  the  fullness  of  times.  (Eph.  i:10).  Daniel  who  received, 
by  revelation,  the  interpretation  of  Nebuchadnezzar's  dream, 
saw  what  would  take  place  in  the  latter  times,  when  the  God 
of  heaven  would  set  up  a  kingdom.  (Dan.  ii:44).  John,  the 
revelator,  while  on  that  desolate  island,  Patmos  (some  ninety 
years  after  Christ),  saw  how  this  gospel  would  be  restored; 
namely,  that  an  angel  would  bring  it  from  heaven  (Rev.  xiv:6), 
and  Christ  says  it  'shall  be  preached  in  all  the  world  as  a  witness 
unto  all  nations;  and  then  shall  the  end  come.'  (Matt.  xxiv:14). 
As  God  is  always  the  same,  and  has  but  one  plan  for  the  redemp 
tion  of  the  human  family,  we  may  expect  to  see  the  same  gospel 
with  like  promises  preached  in  a  similar  way.  Where  do  we  find 
it  as  it  existed  anciently?  But  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  Noah, 
so  shall  it  be  also  in  the  days  of  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man. 
(Matt.  xxiv:37;  Luke  xvii:26,  27).  Noah  was  sent  by  the  Lord 
to  foretell  the  coming  of  the  flood,  but  the  people  rejected  his 
testimony;  in  fact,  whenever  God  has  revealed  His  mind  and 
will  to  man  in  days  gone  by,  the  world,  instead  of  receiving  the 
same,  have  rejected  the  message  and  said  all  manner  of  evil 
concerning  the  prophets,  and  in  many  instances  have  killed 
them,  as  was  the  case  with  Christ  Himself.  Now  then,  my 
friends,  we  are  living  in  the  dispensation  of  the  fullness  of 
times,  when  God  is  gathering  together  all  things  in  Christ. 
An  angel  has  come  from  the  heavens  and  brought  the  ever 
lasting  gospel,  and  on  the  6th  day  of  April,  1830,  God- 
through  revelation  to  man — organized  the  kingdom  spoken  of 
by  Daniel,  in  the  exact  pattern  of  the  kingdom  as  it  existed  in 
the  days  of  Christ,  with  apostles  and  prophets,  and  since  that 
day  the  servants  of  God  have  been  traveling  through  the  world 
preaching  the  same,  as  a  witness  that  the  end  will  soon  come. 
They  call  upon  mankind  to  exercise  faith  in  God  our  eternal 
Father,  and  in  His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  also  to  repent  of,  and 
turn  from  their  sins,  and  be  baptized  by  one  who  has  been  called 
of  God  by  revelation,  and  receive  the  laying  on  of  hands  for  the 


40  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

bestowal  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  As  servants  of  God  they  then 
promise  that  the  convert  shall  know  of  the  doctrine,  whether  it 
be  of  God  or  man  (John  vii:17);  and,  furthermore,  that  the 
signs  which  followed  the  believers  in  the  days  of  the  ancient 
apostles  will  follow  the  believer  at  the  present  time,  for  the 
same  cause  will  always  produce  the  same  effect.  My  friends, 
as  a  servant  of  God,  I  call  upon  you  to  obey  these  principles 
and  you  shall  have  the  promised  blessings." 

The  doctor  said:  "Much  that  you  say  is  convincing,  some  of 
it  excites  curiosity,  and  all  is  entertaining.  I  will  now  announce 
that  the  Town  Hall  has  been  obtained  for  Saturday  night  and 
as  that  involves  a  little  longer  stay  than  you  intended,  I  suggest 
that  a  collection  be  taken  and  turned  over  to  you. 

"I  beg  you,  do  nothing  of  that  kind,"  said  the  missionary. 
"If  the  hall  is  free,  the  lecture  shall  be  also;  and  I  can  doubtless 
spend  the  time  pleasantly  enough  till  then." 

"Very  well,  if  that  is  your  pleasure.  There  will  be  such  an 
attendance  as  this  town  has  rarely  seen,  I  promise  you." 

And  then  after  a  few  pleasantries  in  the  usual  vein,  and 
a  general  "good  night,"  the. party  separated  just  as  the  clock 
struck  twelve,  each  in  the  best  of  humor. 

In  view  of  the  coming  lecture  it  was  mutually  agreed  that 
the  veranda  gatherings  should  be  discontinued  for  the  present 
at  least. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
Truth  Again  Defeats  Falsehood. 

The  meeting  was  to  be  held  in  the  Town  Hall  on  Saturday, 
and  in  the  meantime  our  missionary  busied  himself  variously, 
but  devoted  part  of  the  time  in  getting  his  lecture  arranged  and 
in  refreshing  his  memory  on  the  topics  upon  which  he  wished 
to  speak.  When  not  thus  employed  he  took  strolls  about  the 
country,  or  engaged  in  pleasant  bits  of  conversation  with  his 
acquaintances,  and  with  others  whom  he  happened  to  meet  on 
the  way.  He  was  such  a  favorite  at  the  Marshall  mansion  that 
the  people  there  were  always  pleased  to  have  him  express  a 
wish  for  anything,  in  order  that  it  might  be  gratified;  but  such 
expressions  were  very  rare  and  confined  to  the  scope  of  his 
actual  requirements. 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  41 

On  Friday  afternoon  he  engaged  in  a  pleasant  discussion 
with  Mrs.  Marshall  on  some  scriptural  topic.  Missionaries  all 
understand  the  power  of  song.  Mr.  Durant  was  no  exception, 
so  at  one  point  he  sang  one  of  his  hymns: 

"How  the  light  from  Zion's  mountain 

Clears  the  mists  of  error's  age; 
Clarified  in  ray  and  fountain, 

How  its  truths  our  fears  assuage! 

"Tempest-tossed,  we  still  are  certain 

Life  is  but  a  pleasant  span; 
Hope  has  painted  every  curtain 

Pictured  in  the  gospel  plan. 

"Once  again  to  every  nation, 

Jesus  opens  wide  the  door; 
Here  are  truths  that  bring  salvation, 

Preached  and  practiced  as  of  yore. 

"Joyful  tidings  to  the  people 

From  the  perfect  courts  on  high; 
Sweetest  chimes  from  tower  and  steeple 

Ring:  Redemption's  drawing  nigh. 

"Shine,  thou  light,  with  doubled  splendor, 

Spread  thy  soothing,  restful  rings, 
Till  the  sun  of  Zion,  tender 

Rise,  with  healing  in  his  wings!" 

The  daughter  was  an  interested  listener,  and  at  the  close 
broke  in  with— "It  seems  to  me  that  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
perfect  happiness  after  all.  We  are  always  being  disappointed 
in  relation  to  some  hope  or  desire,  and  when  we  engage  in  that 
which  affords  pastime  or  amusement,  there  is  invariably  a 
penalty  following.  Is  not  this  true,  Mr.  Durant?" 

"I  could  scarcely  dispute  with  a  lady,  even  if  there  were 
grounds  for  it,"  said  he,  gallantly. 

"But  I  prefer  you  would,"  she  said,  "because  you  appear  to 
know  all  about  these  things  and  I  desire  to  learn.  Why  is  it,  for 
instance,  that  after  enjoying  myself  greatly  at  a  dance  or  other 
late  entertainment,  injured  nature  afterwards  cries  out  for 
revenge,  and  takes  it?  So  with  all  things  it  seems  to  me.  The 
pleasure  experienced  in  meeting  a  dear  friend  is  beclouded  by 


42  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

the  knowledge  that  there  must  be  a  parting  soon;  and  death  is 
ever  near  as  if  to  remind  us  of  the  fact  that  life,  happiness, 
honor,  wealth,  youth,  are  all  fleeting  and  unsubstantial." 

"Very  true." 

"Why,  Claire,"  said  her  mother,  "you  are  becoming  a 
regular  pessimist.  Surely  at  your  age  there  is  no  need  to  borrow 
trouble  about  death  or  anything  else." 

"I  do  not  borrow  it,  mamma,  it  comes.  Pain  follows 
pleasure,  sorrow  treads  upon  the  heels  of  happiness,  and  mis 
fortune  is  the  constant  attendant  of  fortune.  There  is,  as  I 
said,  no  perfect  happiness,  so  it  seems  to  me." 

"Pardon  me,"  said  the  missionary,  "But  you  did  not  finish 
your  sentence.  Shall  I  do  so  for  you?" 

"O,  by  all  means,"  replied  the  girl  with  eager  delight. 

"Well,  then,"  he  continued,  "doubtless  what  you  meant  to 
say  was  that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  perfect  happiness  in 
either  the  contemplation  or  realization  of  things  which  in  them 
selves  are  fleeting  and  unsubstantial — that  is,  the  things  of 
the  world.  Every  movement  of  the  machinery  of  a  steamer,  for 
instance,  creates  friction,  which  in  turn  indicates  an  eventual 
breaking  down,  and  so  it  is  with  all  temporal  things;  thus  we 
cannot  rely  upon  them  for  permanent  good,  and  in  addition 
they  are  constantly  subjecting  us  to  peril. 

"It  is  impossible  to  create  perfect  results  out  of  imperfect 
conditions;  therefore,  there  can  be  no  complete  or  unbroken 
happiness  come  out  of  earthly  surroundings,  for  the  reason  that 
all  such  things  are  changeable  and  fleeting.  And  yet  there  is 
such  a  state  as  perfect  joy,  unclouded  and  endless." 

"But  not  in  this  life,  as  you  yourself  have  shown." 

"Yes,  in  this  life." 

"I  thought  you  referred  to  this  life  as  uncertain  and 
ephemeral,  and  as  such  curtailed  or  extinguished  its  own  joys." 

"That  is  true,  also.  But  yet  endless  and  supreme  delight  is 
to  be  found  in  it." 

"Where  and  how,  pray?" 

"In  observing  principles  and  practicing  truths  which  lead 
to  immortality,  and  which  confer  upon  us  the  title-deeds  to 
homes  where  pains  and  penalties  are  unknown,  where  all  is 
peace,  contentment  and  love." 

"Oh,  yes,  I  did  not  think  of  that." 

"In  such  enjoyments  there  is  no  alloy.    More  than  that; 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  43 

the  more  it  is  engaged  in,  the  more  enjoyable  it  becomes;  it  does 
not  clog,  we  cannot  become  surfeited;  the  more  we  devote  our 
attention  and  effort  to  it  the  greater  desire  we  have  to  continue 
and  to  increase  our  experience.  This  is  that  perfect  happiness 
with  which  nothing  else  can  compare." 

"But  would  you  have  us  dispense  with  all  pleasures — with 
the  refined  indulgences,  the  innocent  pastimes  and  the  intellec 
tual  recreations  which  lighten  our  burdens  at  least  for  the  time 
being,  and  have  us  participate  in  sacred  things  only?  Should 
there  be  no  buoyancy  of  spirit,  no  diversions,  no  relaxations, 
in  order  that  there  might  be  no  penalty  as  the  result  of  in 
dulgence?" 

"Why,  what  an — pardon  me — absurd  idea!  Of  course  you 
do  not  advance  it  seriously  and  should  therefore  be  free  from 
criticism.  Rather  than  that  such  a  rule  of  conduct  as  you  have 
suggested  is  the  proper  one,  it  is  almost  as  bad  as  that  in  which 
amusement  alone  prevails.  The  medium  course,  which  enables 
us  to  enjoy  all  that  is  properly  enjoyable  in  its  appropriate 
season,  and  still  does  not  cause  us  to  lose  sight  of  the  great  aim 
and  end  of  existence,  is  the  right  one.  We  should  let  our  pastimes 
be  the  incidents  in  our  career,  not  the  objects  of  it;  thus  they 
lighten  our  burdens,  and,  for  the  time  being,  dispel  some  of  the 
shadows  that  cross  our  pathway,  whereas,  if  made  the  purpose 
of  living — the  only  things  to  be  considered — they  become 
burdensome  and  even  sinful." 

"Then  the  devout  Christian  may  be  happy  and  jovial 
without  being  less  a  Christian,  on  account  of  that?" 

"Yes,  indeed.  More — it  is  pleasing  to  our  Father  for  His 
children  to  be  light-hearted,  so  long  as  their  pleasures  are  proper 
and  are  enjoyed  in  moderation.  The  people  from  among  whom  I 
come  enjoy  themselves  as  much  as  other  people  do,  but  do  not 
overlook  their  devotions,  and  above  all  they  remember  the 
Sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy." 

"That  seems  to  me,"  said  Mrs.  Marshall,  "to  be  a  sensible 
form  of  Christianity.  Why,  a  person,  according  to  your  faith, 
can  be  profoundly  religious  and  yet  deny  himself  no  proper 
amusement." 

"Most  decidedly;  that  is  our  belief  and  practice." 

"It  seems  to  me  I  would  like  to  be  a  member  of  your 
Church,"  said  the  girl,  artlessly,  at  which  interesting  stage  of 
the  conversation,  Rev.  Fitzallen  entered,  who  greeted  the  party 


44  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

stiffly,  his  brow  having  a  distinct  frown  as  he  looked  at  the 
Westerner. 

"Pardon  me,"  said  the  Clergyman,  after  a  few  common 
places  had  passed,  "but  we  'gather  wisdom  by  the  wayside,' 
and  I  have  just  acquired  some  information  from  that  source 
concerning  our  friend  here  from  the  wilds,  and  as  it  surprised 
me,  I  thought  it  might  equally  surprise  the  rest  of  you,  himself 
included,  perhaps." 

Evidently  the  churchman  had  been  engaged  in  the  ques 
tionable  calling  of  picking  up  stray  scraps  of  gossip  here  and 
there,  containing  as  usual  some  truth  mixed  with  much  error. 
There  was  obviously  trouble  ahead. 

"Anything  concerning  me  is  not  apt  to  be  of  sufficient 
consequence  to  be  very  interesting,"  said  Mr.  Durant,  "and 
having  already  stated  all  I  thought  worth  saying  about  myself 
and  my  errand,  there  can  be  little  or  nothing  that  is  surprising, 
I  am  sure." 

"Is  it  not  a  fact  that  you  are  from  Salt  Lake  City?" 

"It  is." 

"It  is!  Why  you  never  informed  us  of  this  and  yet  you  have 
been  associated  with  us  several  days." 

"Indeed!  May  I  ask  you,  Mrs.  Marshall,  and  you,  Miss 
Marshall,  what  part  of  the  country  our  friend  here  comes  from?" 

The  ladies  did  not  know. 

"Indeed!  Why,  sir,  you  have  been  associated  with  this 
family  several  weeks,  and  yet  they  do  not  know  what  particular 
point  you  came  from.  Perhaps  like  myself,  you  were  never 
asked." 

"This  is  evasion,"  said  the  now  thoroughly  excited  church 
man.  "There  is  no  place  in  my  district  possessed  of  such  pecu 
liar  conditions  as  would  place  one  of  its  inhabitants  under  sus 
picion  because  of  them." 

"Nor  in  mine  either,  that  I  know  of,"  calmly  rejoined 
Durant. 

"Is  not  Salt  Lake  City  the  headquarters  and  residence  of  a 
class  of  people  known  as  Mormons  who  hold  exclusive  sway 
there?" 

"No,  sir." 

"That  is  what  I  have  heard." 

"Surely,  I  am  not  accountable  for  what  you  have  heard. 
There  are  a  great  many  Mormons  in  Salt  Lake,  and  just  as  many 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  45 

that  are  not  Mormons;  it  is  the  headquarters  of  the  Church  as 
you  suggest,  but  its  members  are  not  in  exclusive  sway 
there." 

"How  can  that  be?" 

"No  matter  about  the  means;  the  fact  itself  is  what  con 
cerns  us." 

The  churchman  was  discomfited  and  measurably  confused; 
he  was  compelled  to  change  his  course. 

"You  told  us,"  said  he,  "that  you  were  an  advocate  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ;  should  there  not  be  a  suffix  in  these 
words — Latter-day  Saints?" 

"That  is  correct." 

"And  is  not  'Mormonism'  its  other  name?" 

"No,  it  has  no  other  name.  It  is  called  'Mormonism'  by 
nearly  every  one  not  connected  with  it,  and  yet  that  is  not  a 
proper  designation." 

"Then  to  yourself  you  are  a  'Latter-day  Saint,'  and  to  the 
world  you  are  a  'Mormon?'  " 

"That  is  it  exactly." 

"Strange  that  we  should  be  kept  in  ignorance  of  it  so  long." 

"I  have  answered  every  question  fairly  and  in  addition 
have  stated  everything  necessary  to  a  full  explanation  of  my 
cause  and  myself.  If  the  doctrine  I  teach  be  true — and  it  has 
stood  all  tests  so  far — can  you  find  nothing  more  than  a  name 
to  oppose  it?" 

"I  hope,  sir,  you  do  not  accuse  me  of  innuendo?" 

"I  accuse  you  of  nothing." 

"Come  now,"  said  Mrs.  Marshall,  "do  not  be  too  earnest." 

"Well,  madam,"  said  Rev.  Fitzallen,  "I  thought  my  ser 
vices  in  this  connection  would  be  received  graciously  and 
thankfully.  As  they  are  not  I  occupy  the  position  of  an  intruder 
and  will  take  my  leave." 

"Not  on  my  account,  I  hope,"  said  Mr.  Durant.  "If  there 
is  an  intruder  here  it  is  I,  and  it  would  be  my  duty  to  depart." 

"You  must  not  go  under  such  circumstances,"  said  Mrs. 
Marshall. 

The  girl's  look  seconded  her  mother's  words,  and  the  irate 
churchman  permitted  his  passion  to  overcome  his  judgment. 

"Excuse  me,"  he  said,  "but  I  will  take  my  leave.  Under  the 
circumstances  my  presence  must  be  altogether  unwelcome.  I 
have  heard  of  the  fascinating  character  of  some  of  the  features 


46  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

of  Mormonism,  and  the  persuasiveness  of  those  who  advocate  it. 
Violation  of  the  laws  of  God  and  man  by  practicing  polygamy  is 
one  of  the  seductive  usages  of  that  creed,  I  believe." 

"Your  belief  is  erroneous,  then,"  said  Durant.  "Whatever 
my  people  may  have  believed  in  the  past  as  to  the  correctness  of 
doctrines  taught  by  the  Bible  and  the  prophets  of  old,  they 
now  obey  the  laws  of  the  land  in  which  they  live." 

"Marvelous!  I  have  heard  otherwise.  I  have  even  taken  the 
pains  to  bring  with  me  a  newspaper  which  I  received  from  a 
traveler,  and  in  which  information  of  a  different  character  is 
obtained.  It  is  published  in  Salt  Lake  City  and  should  be 
correct.  Here  is  part  of  a  sermon  delivered  by  a  Mormon 
Bishop;  and  here  an  account  of  several  arrests  for  violating  the 
law  against  polygamy  and  kindred  offenses,  while  an  editorial 
in  the  same  paper  comments  strongly  on  the  deception  and 
falsity  pervading  the  Mormon  people.  There  must  be  a  mistake 
somewhere.' 

"No,  there  is  no  mistake  at  all,  but  much  falsehood  and  mis 
representation.  It  is  true  that  since  the  law  against  polygamy 
was  enacted  there  have  been  many  prosecutions  of  members  of 
our  Church  chiefly  because  of  their  inability  instantly  to  sever 
the  happy  associations  of  a  lifetime  which  had  been  formed  be 
fore  the  law  went  into  effect,  or  their  lack  of  exact  knowledge 
as  to  what  the  law  required  of  them.  It  was  a  difficult,  I  may 
say  an  impossible  matter,  for  them  to  break  away  entirely  from 
a  part  of  their  families  and  never  go  near  them,  to  give  a  word 
of  counsel,  or  it  may  be  hurriedly  to  embrace  the  little  ones 
from  whom  the  law  had  separated  them.  When  thus  found  they 
have  been  apprehended,  tried,  convicted  and  punished,  often 
without  an  effort  to  defend  themselves.  The  Bishop  named  by 
the  paper,  does  not  and  never  did  exist,  and  the  sermon  re 
ferred  to  was  never  delivered,  as  the  same  paper  has  been 
compelled  to  admit  on  several  occasions;  and  the  editor's 
views,  or  rather  sayings,  are  the  words  of  a  man  whose  chief 
interest  in  the  community  is  to  fan  the  flames  of  discord  so 
that  his  nefarious  business  may  prosper.  His  statements  are 
utterly  and  entirely  false." 

After  these  remarks  the  reverend  went  to  his  room,  and 
shortly  afterwards  took  his  departure. 

"I  don't  like  the  Mormons  at  all,  and  I'm  just  sorry  you're 
one,"  said  the  girl. 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  47 

"I,  too,  am  somewhat  opposed  to  that  peculiar  religion,  but 
it  does  seem  to  me,  after  hearing  you,  that  my  dislike  arises 
more  from  prejudice  than  from  anything  else,"  said  the  mother. 

"I  have  here  a  card  containing  the  articles  of  our  faith 
from  which  you  may  learn  that  we  are  not  so  evil  as  we  are  rep 
resented  to  be." 

We  believe  in  God  the  Eternal  Father,  and  in  His  Son, 
Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

We  believe  that  men  will  be  punished  for  their  own  sins,  and 
not  for  Adam's  transgression. 

We  believe  that  through  the  atonement  of  Christ,  all 
mankind  may  be  saved,  by  obedience  to  the  laws  and  ordinances 
of  the  Gospel. 

We  believe  that  the  first  principles  and  ordinances  of  the 
Gospel  are:  First,  Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  second, 
Repentance;  third,  Baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission  of 
sins;  fourth,  Laying  on  of  Hands  for  the  Gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

We  believe  that  a  man  must  be  called  of  God,  by  "prophecy, 
and  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,"  by  those  who  are  in  authority,  to 
preach  the  gospel  and  administer  in  the  ordinances  thereof. 

We  believe  in  the  same  organization  that  existed  in  the 
primitive  church — namely,  apostles,  prophets,  pastors,  teachers, 
evangelists,  etc. 

We  believe  in  the  gift  ©f  tongues,  prophecy,  revelations, 
visions,  healing,  interpretation  of  tongues,  etc. 

We  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God,  as  far  as  it  is 
translated  correctly;  we  also  believe  the  Book  of  Mormon  to  be 
the  word  of  God. 

We  believe  all  that  God  has  revealed,  all  that  He  does  now 
reveal,  and  we  believe  that  He  will  yet  reveal  many  great  and 
important  things  pertaining  to  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

We  believe  in  the  literal  gathering  of  Israel  and  in  the  res 
toration  of  the  Ten  Tribes;  that  Zion  will  be  built  upon  this 
(the  Arrerican)  continent;  that  Christ  will  reign  personally  upon 
the  earth;  and  that  the  earth  will  be  renewed  and  receive  its 
paradisiacal  glory. 

We  claim  the  privilege  of  worshiping  Almighty  God  accord 
ing  to  the  dictates  of  our  own  conscience,  and  allow  all  men  the 
same  privilege;  let  them  worship  how,  where,  or  what  they  may. 


48  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

We  believe  in  being  subject  to  kings,  presidents,  rulers  and 
magistrates,  in  obeying,  honoring  and  sustaining  the  law. 

We  believe  in  being  honest,  true,  chaste,  benevolent, 
virtuous,  and  in  doing  good  to  all  men;  indeed,  we  may  say  that 
we  follow  the  admonition  of  Paul,  "We  believe  all  things,  we 
hope  all  things,"  we  have  endured  many  things,  and  hope  to  be 
able  to  endure  all  things.  If  there  is  anything  virtuous,  lovely, 
or  of  good  report,  or  praiseworthy,  we  seek  after  these  things.— 
Joseph  Smith. 

With  this  Durant  took  from  his  pocket  the  card,  and 
handling  it  to  Mrs.  Marshall,  said:  "Examine  it  at  your  leisure." 
And  without  more  adieu  he  was  gone,  leaving  the  ladies  in  a 
reflective  mood. 

Mr.  Marshall  received  the  news  regarding  Durant  in 
silence;  perhaps  he  had  suspected,  or  even  knew  already,  that 
the  stranger  was  a  "Mormon." 


CHAPTER  VII. 
A  Triumph  and  An  Escape. 

The  afternoon  preceding  the  night  on  which  Charles 
Durant  was  to  appear  before  the  public  in  the  Town  Hall  of 
Westminster  to  place  the  plan  of  salvation  before  the  people, 
and  bear  his  testimony  to  the  eternal  truth,  was  wearing  slowly 
away.  By  this  time  his  name  was  on  everybody's  lips,  and 
nearly  all  knew  him.  As  he  walked  abroad  some  would  pass 
him  with  a  frown,  some  with  a  gaze  of  curiosity,  rarely  one  would 
smile,  and  less  frequently  still  would  he  receive  a  pleasant 
"good-day."  If  he  had  delighted  in  notoriety,  here  was  certainly 
a  field  in  which  he  might  enjoy  that  to  the  full  limit  of  his  desire; 
but  he  wanted  nothing  of  the  kind.  He  was  filled  with  the 
spirit  of  his  calling  which  was  to  spread  the  truth  and  labor 
unto  the  salvation  of  men ;  and  neither  the  insults  of  the  insolent 
nor  the  frowns  of  opponents  could  turn  him  aside  from  that 
purpose.  He  bore  within  his  breast  the  realization  of  an  upright 
purpose,  together  with  his  certainty  of  a  reward  to  come.  What 
were  threats  and  annoyances  to  him?  And  yet  he  sought  not 
persecution  that  a  cheap  martyrdom  might  be  gained;  perhaps 
if  warned  of  a  personal  danger,  in  obedience  to  a  natural  im- 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  49 

pulse,  he  would  have  shunned  or  gone  around  it,  but  never  to 
the  sacrifice  of  one  jot  or  tittle  of  principle. 

His  experience  of  less  than  a  week  in  Westminster  had  been 
sufficient  for  a  volume  of  much  greater  proportions  than  this 
little  publication,  and  yet  enough  of  it  is  noted  here  to  give  a 
fair  idea  of  what  transpired.  In  that  time  our  hero,  a  com 
parative  stranger,  had  become  well-settled  and  was  welcome  in 
an  honorable  household,  and  this  without  deception  or  any 
special  effort  to  please;  he  had  dethroned  the  demon  of  infidelity 
in  one  good  man's  heart  when  a  skilled  churchman's  efforts  in 
that  direction  only  threatened  to  perpetuate  the  evil;  had  caused 
another  good  man,  indifferent  to  gospel  measures,  to  become 
actively  interested;  had  defeated  the  churchman  spoken  of, 
on  his  own  ground,  and  had  shown  in  an  unmistakable  manner  the 
fallacy  of  his  doctrine,  and  finally,  had  brought  this  showy 
patron  of  religion  to  utter  discomfiture  without  desiring,  in 
tending,  or  trying  to  annoy  him  in  any  way;  had  set  the  family 
named  and  several  of  their  neighbors  to  thinking  as  they  had 
never  thought  before;  and  now,  as  a  special  favor  was  to  address 
the  town  people  in  their  chief  public  building.  The  Town  Hall 
was  filled  to  overflowing,  and  when  Durant  entered  and  walked 
slowly  up  to  the  platform,  it  is  perhaps  needless  to  say  he  was 
the  observed  of  all  observers.  There  were  some  feelings  of  sur 
prise  when  Mr.  Brown,  the  (late)  infidel,  arose  to  introduce 
the  speaker  of  the  evening;  he  announced  before  doing  so  that 
the  lecture  would  consist  of  an  exposition  of  the  groundwork, 
and  some  advanced  principles  of  the  gospel  as  laid  down  in  the 
Bible.  "Nothing  will  be  left  to  be  conjectured  or  surmised," 
he  said;  "the  speaker  is  familiar  with  the  subject  and  is  capable 
of  doing  it  justice.  I  speak  advisedly,  having  heard  him  before. 
I  ask  your  earnest  and  respectful  attention,  and  now  present 
to  you  Mr.  Charles  Durant,  of  Salt  Lake  City." 

Notwithstanding  the  sacredness  of  the  occasion,  there  was  a 
burst  of  applause  when  the  speaker  arose.  Before  him,  on  a 
table,  were  the  Bible  and  two  or  three  other  books.  He  entered 
upon  his  subject  at  once,  first  explaining  the  principles  of  faith, 
repentance  and  baptism,  citing  the  Holy  Book  in  support  of  his 
arguments,  and  making  every  principle  plain  and  lucid  as  he 
proceeded.  In  as  extended  a  manner  as  he  could,  within  the  time 
at  his  disposal,  he  developed  the  philosophy  and  practice  of 
true  Christianity  from  the  beginning  to  the  present  time, 


50  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

leaving  no  salient  point  unmentioned,  and  no  stone  marking  the 
way  unturned.  He  occupied  two  hours,  and  there  was  not  a 
listener  but  gladly  would  have  remained  that  much  longer.  The 
impression  made  was  deep ;  as  to  whether  or  not  it  was  lasting, 
that  depended  largely  upon  the  individuals  themselves. 

The  lawyer  and  the  doctor  and  the  Marshalls  came  forward 
and  grasped  the  speaker's  hand,  extending  sincere  congratula 
tions.  The  preacher  was  absent.  As  they  left  the  room,  people 
could  be  heard  making  such  remarks  as — "Well,  that  is  mighty 
sound  reasoning  no  matter  where  it  comes  from;"  a  few  asked 
to  be  introduced  and  one  of  these,  an  old  lady,  said  in  a  low 
voice,  "You  spoke  the  truth,  I  know  it;  God  bless  you!" 

As  soon  as  he  could  make  his  way  to  Durant's  side,  the 
negro,  Caesar,  said  hurriedly — "You  want  to  look  a  little  out 
as  you  go  home;  I  heard  a  lot  of  fellows  down  the  lane  talking, 
and  they  said  they  would  fix  that  Mormon." 

A  spontaneous  exclamation  of  surprise  and  disgust  came 
from  the  little  party  of  which  Durant  was  the  center.  However, 
it  was  left  to  the  lawyer  to  engage  in  explosiveness,  and  he  did 
it  in  a  manner  which  left  no  doubt  of  what  he  would  do  in  an 
emergency.  It  was  finally  decided  that  he  and  the  doctor 
should  lead  the  way  homeward,  with  the  Marshall  family, 
our  guest,  a  neighbor  and  the  negro  following  leisurely  after. 
The  improvised  mob  was  soon  encountered  and  the  interview 
was  stormy  for  awhile,  but  before  the  party  in  the  rear  reached 
the  spot,  the  tumult  was  quieted  down  considerably.  The 
lawyer  knew  every  one  in  the  party  and  if  any  violence  was 
offered  to  the  stranger,  he  would  make  it  his  personal  business 
to  see  that  every  one  of  them  answered  to  the  law.  This, 
coupled  with  milder  and  more  persuasive  methods,  had  its 
effect,  and  one  by  one  the  rioters  dispersed,  at  least  for  the 
present.  Mr.  Durant  and  his  friends  walked  home  without 
being  assaulted  by  so  much  as  an  unpleasant  exclamation, 
though  he  fully  expected  trouble  from  the  first;  but  he  deter 
mined  to  continue  his  labors  as  he  had  begun,  leaving  the 
result  to  Providence. 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  51 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The   Prophet   Joseph's    Statement. 

Perhaps  it  was  the  force  of  habit  as  well  as  the  impelling 
power  of  desire  that  caused  the  group,  with  whom  we  are  now  so 
familiar,  again  to  assemble  at  the  place  made  somewhat  memor 
able  by  recent  events — the  veranda  fronting  the  Marshall 
mansion.  All  the  persons  hitherto  named,  excepting,  of  course, 
the  minister,  were  present;  that  gentleman  had  not  only  taken 
his  departure  from  the  house,  but  doubtless  from  the  town  also. 
It  was  Sunday  evening,  the  weather  was  perfect,  all  things 
seemed  conducive  to  harmony,  and  a  most  pleasurable  occasion, 
it  being  perhaps  the  last  they  would  enjoy  together.  The 
doctor  and  lawyer  were  so  anxious  to  begin  the  conversation 
that  they  could  scarcely  wait  for  all  to  be  seated;  they  desired  to 
improve  the  opportunity,  and  learn  what  they  could  of  other 
principles  of  the  missionary's  faith. 

"Mr.  Durant,"  finally  said  the  doctor,  "we  have  listened 
with  much  pleasure  to  different  conversations  with  you  since 
your  arrival  and  these  have  awakened  a  lively  interest  within 
us,  and  as  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  this  evening,  we  thought 
it  would  not  be  at  all  unpleasant  to  you  to  spend  an  hour  or 
so  in  answering  what  to  us  appears  to  be  some  very  important 
questions  concerning  the  faith  of  the  so-called  Mormons." 

"I  assure  you  it  will  be  pleasant  to  me,  indeed.  I  am  here 
for  that  purpose,  and  the  more  questions  I  have  an  opportunity 
to  answer,  the  better  and  more  successfully  will  I  perform  my 
duty.  Could  I  read  your  thoughts  and  know  what  you  desire 
explained,  I  assure  you  nothing  would  be  left  untold;  but  this 
not  being  the  case,  I  rely  upon  you  to  make  inquiries  and  will 
request  that  you  keep  nothing  back,  and  I  will  be  honest  in 
giving  any  information  that  I  am  capable  of  imparting." 

"I  am  now  inclined  to  believe,"  said  the  doctor,  "after  our 
experience  with  you,  that,  like  most  of  the  good  people  of  this 
nation  we  have  been  in  possession  of  only  one  side  of  the  ques 
tion  regarding  your  people.  Never  having  heard,  from  your 
standpoint,  the  claims  of  Mr.  Joseph  Smith,  the  founder  of  your 
Church,  in  regard  to  his  being  a  prophet,  we  would  be  pleased 
to  learn  what  he  said  on  this  question." 

"This  is  a  frankness  which  I  appreciate  very  much.  As  a 
general  thing,  the  majority  of  the  people,  when  desirous  of 


52  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

knowing  anything  concerning  us,  are  prone  to  ask  any  other 
person  on  earth  than  a  Mormon.  They  do  not  seem  to  think 
for  a  moment  that  we  ourselves  might  be  able  to  place  them  in 
possession  of  the  most  reliable  information  on  the  subject. 
Joseph  Smith's  claim  to  being  divinely  inspired  to  open  up  a 
new  dispensation  of  the  gospel,  is  here  given  in  his  own  state 
ments  so  that  you  will  be  getting  it  direct  from  the  fountain 
head." 

"By  all  means,  read  it,"  said  two  or  three  in  concert;  "there 
will  then  be  no  room  for  misrepresentation." 

"Joseph  Smith  has  made  the  following  statement  regarding 
the  subject,"  continued  Durant: 

"Owing  to  the  many  reports  which  have  been  put  in  circu 
lation  by  evil  designing  persons  in  relation  to  the  rise  and  prog 
ress  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints,  all  of 
which  have  been  designed  by  the  authors  thereof  to  militate 
against  its  character  as  a  Church,  and  its  progress  in  the  world, 
I  have  been  induced  to  write  this  history,  to  disabuse  the 
public  mind  and  put  all  inquirers  after  truth  in  possession  of  th.e 
facts  as  they  have  transpired,  in  relation  both  to  myself  and  the 
Church,  so  far  as  I  have  such  facts  in  my  possession. 

"In  this  history  I  will  present  the  various  events  in  relation 
to  this  Church,  in  truth  and  righteousness,  as  they  have  trans 
pired,  or  as  they  at  present  exist,  being  now  the  eighth  year 
since  the  organization  of  the  said  Church. 

"I  was  born  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  five,  on  the  twenty-third  day  of  December,  in  the 
town  of  Sharon,  Windsor  County,  State  of  Vermont.  My  father, 
Joseph  Smith,  senior,  left  the  State  of  Vermont,  and  moved  to 
Palmyra,  Ontario  (now  Wayne)  County,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  when  I  was  in  my  tenth  year.  In  about  four  years  after 
my  father's  arrival  at  Palmyra,  he  moved  with  his  family  into 
Manchester,  in  the  same  County  of  Ontario.  His  family  con 
sisted  of  eleven  souls,  namely:  my  father,  Joseph  Smith;  my 
mother,  Lucy  Smith  (whose  name  previous  to  her  marriage  was 
Mack,  daughter  of  Solomon  Mack);  my  brothers  Alvin  (who 
is  now  dead),  Hyrum,  myself,  Samuel  Harrison,  William, 
Don  Carlos,  and  my  sisters,  Sophronia,  Catherine,  and  Lucy. 

"Some  time  in  the  second  year  after  our  removal  to  Man 
chester,  there  was  in  the  place  where  we  lived  an  unusual  excite 
ment  on  the  subject  of  religion.  It  commenced  with  the  Meth- 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  53 

odists,  but  soon  became  general  among  all  the  sects  in  that 
region  of  country;  indeed  the  whole  district  of  country  s.eemed 
affected  by  it,  and  great  multitudes  united  themselves  to  the 
different  religious  parties,  which  created  no  small  stir  and 
division  amongst  the  people,  some  crying,  Lo,  here!  and  others, 
Lo,  there!  some  were  contending  for  the  Methodist  faith,  some 
for  the  Presbyterian,  and  some  for  the  Baptist.  For  notwith 
standing  the  great  love  which  the  converts  to  these  different 
faiths  expressed  at  the  time  of  their  conversion,  and  the  great 
zeal  manifested  by  their  respective  clergy,  who  were  active  in 
getting  up  and  promoting  this  extraordinary  scene  of  religious 
feeling,  in  order  to  have  everybody  converted,  as  they  were 
pleased  to  call  it,  let  them  join  what  sect  they  pleased;  yet  when 
the  converts  began  to  file  off,  some  to  one  party  and  some  to 
another,  it  was  seen  that  the  seemingly  good  feelings  of  both 
the  priests  and  the  converts  were  more  pretended  than  real,  for 
a  scene  of  great  confusion  and  bad  feeling  ensued— priest  con 
tending  against  priest,  and  convert  against  convert,  so  that  all 
their  good  feelings  one  for  another,  if  they  ever  had  any,  were 
entirely  lost  in  a  strife  of  words  and  a  contest  about  opinions. 

"I  was  at  this  time  in  my  fifteenth  year.  My  father's 
family  was  proselyted  to  the  Presbyterian  faith,  and  four  of 
them  joined  that  church,  namely,  my  mother,  Lucy,  my 
brothers  Hyrum  and  Samuel  Harrison,  and  my  sister  Sophronia. 

"During  this  time  of  great  excitement,  my  mind  was  called 
up  to  serious  reflection  and  great  uneasiness;  but  though  my 
feelings  were  deep  and  often  poignant,  still  I  kept  myself  aloof 
from  all  these  parties,  though  I  attended  their  several  meetings 
as  often  as  occasion  would  permit;  but  in  process  of  time  my 
mind  became  somewhat  partial  to  the  Methodist  sect,  and  I 
felt  some  desire  to  be  united  with  them,  but  so  great  were  the 
confusion  and  strife  among  the  different  denominations,  that 
it  was  impossible  for  a  person,  young  as  I  was,  and  so  unac 
quainted  with  men  and  things,  to  come  to  any  certain  conclu 
sion  who  was  right  and  who  was  wrong.  My  mind  at 
times  was  greatly  excited,  the  cry  and  tumult  were  so  great  and 
incessant.  The  Presbyterians  were  most  decided  against  the 
Baptists  and  Methodists,  and  used  all  their  powers  of  either 
reason  or  sophistry  to  prove  their  errors,  or,  at  least,  to  "make 
the  people  think  they  were  in  error.  On  the  otherjiand,  the 


54  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

Baptists  and  Methodists,  in  their  turn,  were  equally  zealous 
to  establish  their  own  tenets  and  disprove  all  others. 

"In  the  midst  of  this  war  of  words  and  tumult  of  opinions, 
I  often  said  to  myself,  What  is  to  be  done?  Who  of  all  these 
parties  are  right?  Or,  are  they  all  wrong  together?  If  any  one 
of  them  be  right,  which  is  it,  and  how  shall  I  know  it? 

"While  I  was  laboring  under  the  extreme  difficulties,  caused 
by  the  contests  of  these  parties  of  religionists,  I  was  one  day 
reading  the  Epistle  of  James,  first  chapter,  and  fifth  verse, 
which  reads,  'If  any  of  you  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  that 
giveth  to  all  men  liberally  and  upbraideth  not,  and  it  shall 
be  given  him/  Never  did  any  passage  of  scripture  come  with 
more  power  to  the  heart  of  man  than  this  did  at  this  time  to 
mine.  It  seemed  to  enter  with  great  force  into  every  feeling  of 
my  heart.  I  reflected  on  it  again  and  again,  knowing  that  if  any 
person  needed  wisdom  from  God,  I  did;  for  how  to  act  I  did  not 
know,  and  unless  I  could  get  more  wisdom  than  I  then  had, 
I-would  never  know ;  for  the  teachers  of  religion  of  the  different 
sects  understood  the  same  passages  of  scripture  so  differently  as 
to  destroy  all  confidence  in  settling  the  question  by  an  appeal  to 
the  Bible.  At  length  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  I  must  either 
remain  in  darkness  and  confusion,  or  else  I  must  do  as  James 
directs,  that  is,  ask  of  God.  I  at  length  came  to  the  determina 
tion  to  ask  of  God,  concluding  that  if  He  gave  wisdom  to  them 
that  lacked  wisdom,  and  would  give  liberally  and  not  upbraid, 
I  might  venture.  So,  in  accordance  with  this,  my  determination 
to  ask  of  God,  I  retired  to  the  woods  to  make  the  attempt.  It  was 
on  the  morning  of  a  beautiful,  clear  day,  early  in  the  spring  of 
eighteen  hundred  and  twenty.  It  was  the  first  time  in  my  life 
that  I  had  made  such  an  attempt,  for  amidst  all  my  anxieties 
I  had  never  as  yet  made  the  attempt  to  pray  vocally. 

"After  I  had  retired  to  the  place  where  I  had  previously 
designed  to  go,  having  looked  around  me  and  finding  myself 
alone,  I  kneeled  down  and  began  to  offer  up  the  desires  of  my 
heart  to  God.  I  had  scarcely  done  so,  when  immediately  I  was 
seized  upon  by  some  power  which  entirely  overcame  me,  and 
had  such'an&astonishing  influence  over  me  as  to  bind  my  tongue 
so  that  I  could  not  speak.  Thick  darkness  gathered  around  me 
and  it  seemed  to  me  for  a  time  as  if  I  were  doomed  to  sudden 
destruction.fBut,  exerting  all  my  powers  to  call  upon  God  to 
deliver  me  out  of  the  power  of  this  enemy  which  had  seized  upon 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  55 

me,  and  at  the  very  moment  when  I  was  ready  to  sink  into 
despair  and  abandon  myself  to  destruction,  not  to  an  imaginary 
ruin,  but  to  the  power  of  some  actual  being  from  the  unseen 
world,  who  had  such  a  marvelous  power  as  I  had  never  before 
felt  in  any  being.  Just  at  this  moment  of  great  alarm,  I  saw  a 
pillar  of  light  exactly  over  my  head,  above  the  brightness  of  the 
sun,  which  descended  gradually  until  it  feel  upon  me.  It  no 
sooner  appeared  than  I  found  myself  delivered  from  the  enemy 
which  held  me  bound.  When  the  light  rested  upon  me,  I  saw 
two  personages,  whose  brightness  and  glory  defy  all  description, 
standing  above  me  in  the  air.  One  of  them  spake  unto  me, 
calling  me  by  name,  and  said  (pointing  to  the  other),  'This  is 
My  beloved  Son,  hear  Him.' 

"My  object  in  going  to  inquire  of  the  Lord,  was  to  know 
which  of  all  the  sects  was  right,  that  I  might  know  which  to 
join.  No  sooner,  therefore,  did  I  get  possession  of  myself,  so  as 
to  be  able  to  speak,  than  I  asked  the  personages  who  stood 
above  me  in  the  light,  which  of  all  the  sects  was  right  (for  at  this 
time  it  had  never  entered  into  my  heart  that  all  were  wrong), 
and  which  I  should  join.  I  was  answered  that  I  must  join  none 
of  them,  for  they  were  all  wrong,  and  the  personage  who  ad 
dressed  me  said  that  all  their  creeds  were  an  abomination  in  his 
sight;  that  those  professors  were  all  corrupt.  'They  draw  near  to 
me  with  their  lips,  but  their  hearts  are  far  from  me;  they  teach 
for  doctrines  the  commandments  of  men,  having  a  form  of  godli 
ness,  but  they  deny  the  power  thereof.' 

"He  again  forbade  me  to  join  with  any  of  them;  and  many 
other  things  did  he  say  unto  me,  which  I  cannot  write  at  this 
time.  When  I  came  to  myself  again,  I  found  myself  lying  on  my 
back,  looking  up  into  heaven. 

"Some  few  days  after  I  had  this  vision,  I  happened  to  be  in 
company  with  one  of  the  Methodist  preachers  who  was  very 
active  in  the  before  mentioned  religious  excitement,  and  con 
versing  with  him  on  the  subject  of  religion,  I  took  occasion  to 
give  him  an  account  of  the  vision  which  I  had  had.  I  was  greatly 
surprised  at  his  behavior;  he  treated  my  communication  not  only 
lightly,  but  with  great  contempt,  saying  it  was  all  of  the  devil, 
that  there  were  no  such  things  as  visions  or  revelations  in  these 
days;  that  all  such  things -had  ceased  with  the  apostles,  and 
that  there  would  never  be  any  more  of  them. 

"I  soon  found,  however,  that  my  telling  the  story  had 


56  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

excited  a  great  deal  of  prejudice  against  me  among  professors 
of  religion,  and  was  the  cause  of  great  persecution,  which 
continued  to  increase;  and  though  I  was  an  obscure  boy,  only 
between  fourteen  and  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  my  circumstances 
in  life  such  as  to  make  a  boy  of  no  consequence  in  the  world, 
yet  men  of  high  standing  would  take  notice  sufficient  to  excite 
the  public  mind  against  me,  and  create  a  bitter  persecution,  and 
this  was  common  among  all  sects;  all  united  to  persecute  me. 

"It  has  often  caused  me  serious  reflection,  both  then  and 
since,  how  very  strange  it  was  that  an  obscure  boy,  of  a  little 
over  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  one,  too,  who  was  doomed  to 
the  necessity  of  obtaining  a  scanty  maintenance  by  his  daily 
labor,  should  be  thought  a  character  of  sufficient  importance  to 
attract  the  attention  of  the  great  ones  of  the  most  popular 
sects  of  the  day,  so  as  to  create  in  them  a  spirit  of  the  hottest 
persecution  and  reviling.  But  strange  or  not,  so  it  was,  and  it  was 
often  a  cause  of  great  sorrow  to  myself.  However,  it  was  never 
theless  a  fact  that  I  had  had  a  vision.  I  have  thought  since,  that 
I  felt  much  like  Paul  when  he  made  his  defense  before  King 
Agrippa,  and  related  the  account  of  the  vision  he  had  when  he 
saw  a  light  and  heard  a  voice,  but  still  there  were  but  few  who 
believed  him;  some  said  he  was  dishonest,  others  said  he  was 
mad,  and  he  was  ridiculed  and  reviled;  but  all  this  did  not  de 
stroy  the  reality  of  his  vision.  He  had  seen  a  vision,  he  knew  he 
had,  and  all  the  persecution  under  heaven  could  not  make  it 
otherwise;  and  though  they  should  persecute  him  unto  death, 
yet  he  knew  and  would  know  to  his  latest  breath  that  he  had 
both  seen  a  light  and  heard  a  voice  speaking  to  him,  and  all 
the  world  could  not  make  him  think  or  believe  otherwise. 

"So  it  was  with  me;  I  had  actually  seen  a  light,  and  in  the 
midst  of  that  light  I  saw  two  personages,  and  they  did  in  reality 
speak  unto  me,  or  one  of  them  did;  and  though  I  was  hated  and 
persecuted  for  saying  that  I  had  seen  a  vision,  yet  it  was  true; 
and  while  they  were  persecuting  me,  reviling  me  and  speaking 
all  manner  of  evil  against  me,  falsely,  for  so  saying,  I  was  led  to 
say  in  my  heart,  Why  persecute  me  for  telling  the  truth?  I  have 
actually  seen  a  vision,  and  who  am  I  that  I  can  withstand  God, 
or  why  does  the  world  think  to  make  me  deny  what  I  have 
actually  seen?  For  I  had  seen  a  vision.  I  knew  it,  and  I  knew 
that  God  knew  it,  and  I  could  not  deny  it,  neither  dared  I  do  it; 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  57 

at  least  I  knew  that  by  so  doing  I  would  offend  God  and  come 
under  condemnation. 

"I  had  now  got  my  mind  satisfied  so  far  as  the  sectarian 
world  was  concerned,  that  it  was  not  my  duty  to  join  with  any 
of  them,  but  to  continue  as  I  was  until  further  directed;  I  had 
found  the  testimony  of  James  to  be  true,  that  a  man  who  lacked 
wisdom  might  ask  of  God,  and  obtain  and  not  be  upbraided. 
I  continued  to  pursue  my  common  vocations  in  life  until  the 
twenty-first  of  September,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
twenty-three,  all  the  time  suffering  severe  persecution  at  the 
hands  of  all  classes  of  men,  both  religious  and  irreligious,  be 
cause  I  continued  to  affirm  that  I  had  seen  a  vision. 

"During  the  space  of  time  which  intervened  between  the 
time  I  had  the  vision  and  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and 
twenty-three  (having  been  forbidden  to  join  any  of  the  religious 
sects  of  the  day,  and  being  of  very  tender  years,  and  persecuted 
by  those  who  ought  to  have  been  my  friends,  and  to  have 
treated  me  kindly,  and  if  they  supposed  me  to  be  deluded  to 
have  endeavored,  in  a  proper  and  affectionate  manner,  to  have 
reclaimed  me),  I  was  left  to  all  kinds  of  temptations,  and, 
mingling  with  all  kinds  of  society,  I  frequently  fell  into  many 
foolish  errors,  and  displayed  the  weakness  of  youth,  and  the 
foibles  of  human  nature,  which  I  am  sorry  to  say  led  me 
into  divers  temptations,  to  the  gratification  of  many  appetites 
offensive  in  the  sight  of  God.  In  consequence  of  these  things 
I  often  felt  condemned  for  my  weakness  and  imperfections; 
when,  on  the  evening  of  the  above  mentioned  twenty-first  day  of 
September,  after  I  had  retired  to  my  bed  for  the  night,  I  betook 
myself  to  prayer  and  supplication  to  Almighty  God,  for  forgive 
ness  of  all  my  sins  and  follies,  and  also  for  a  manifestation  to 
me,  that  I  might  know  of  my  state  and  standing  before  Him; 
for  I  had  full  confidence  in  obtaining  a  divine  manifestation, 
as  I  had  previously  had  one. 

"While  I  was  thus  in  the  act  of  calling  upon  God,  I  dis 
covered  a  light  appearing  in  the  room,  which  continued  to 
increase  until  the  room  was  lighter  than  at  noonday,  when 
immediately  a  personage  appeared  at  my  bedside,  standing  in 
the  air,  for  his  feet  did  not  touch  the  floor.  He  had  on  a  loose 
robe  of  most  exquisite  whiteness.  It  was  a  whiteness  beyond 
anything  earthly  I  had  ever  seen;  nor  do  I  believe  that  any 
earthly  thing  could  be  made  to  appear  so  exceedingly  white 


58  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

and  brilliant;  his  hands  were  naked,  and  his  arms  also,  a  little 
above  the  wrist;  so  also  were  his  feet  naked,  as  were  his  legs, 
a  little  above  the  ankles.  His  head  and  neck  were  also  bare. 
I  could  discover  that  he  had  no  other  clothing  on  but  this  robe, 
as  it  was  open,  so  that  I  could  see  into  his  bosom. 

"Not  only  was  his  robe  exceedingly  white,  but  his  whole 
person  was  glorious  beyond  description,  and  his  countenance 
truly  like  lightning.  The  room  was  exceedingly  light,  but  not  so 
very  bright  as  immediately  around  his  person.  When  I  first 
looked  upon  him  I  was  afraid,  but  the  fear  soon  left  me.  He 
called  me  by  name  and  said  unto  me  that  he  was  a  messenger 
sent  from  the  presence  of  God  to  me,  and  that  his  name  was 
Moroni.  That  God  had  a  work  for  me  to  do,  and  that  my 
name  should  be  had  for  good  and  evil  among  all  nations, 
kindreds,  and  tongues;  or  that  it  should  be  both  good  and  evil 
spoken  of  among  all  people.  He  said  there  was  a  book  deposit 
ed,  written  upon  gold  plates,  giving  an  account  of  the  former 
inhabitants  of  this  continent,  and  the  source  from  whence  they 
sprang.  He  also  said  that  the  fullness  of  the  everlasting  Gospel 
was  contained  in  it,  as  delivered  by  the  Savior  to  the  ancient  in 
habitants.  Also  that  there  were  two  stones  in  silver  bows 
(and  these  stones,  fastened  to  a  breastplate,  constituted  what 
is  called  the  Urim  and  Thummim),  deposited  with  the  plates, 
and  the  possession  and  use  of  these  stones  were  what  consti 
tuted  Seers  in  ancient  or  former  times,  and  that  God  had  pre 
pared  them  for  the  purpose  of  translating  the  book. 

"After  telling  me  these  things,  he  commenced  quoting  the 
prophecies  of  the  Old  Testament.  He  first  quoted  part  of  the 
third  chapter  of  Malachi,  and  he  quoted  also  the  fourth  or  last 
chapter  of  the  same  prophecy,  though  with  a  little  variation 
from  the  way  it  reads  in  our  Bibles.  Instead  of  quoting  the 
first  verse  as  it  reads  in  our  books,  he  quoted  it  thus:  'For  be 
hold,  the  day  cometh  that  shall  burn  as  an  oven,  and  all  the 
proud,  yea,  and  all  that  do  wickedly,  shall  burn  as  stubble; 
for  they  that  come  shall  burn  them,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 
that  it  shall  leave  them  neither  root  nor  branch.'  And  again, 
he  quoted  the  fifth  verse  thus:  'Behold  I  will  reveal  unto  you  the 
priesthood  by  the  hand  of  Elijah  the  prophet,  before  the  com 
ing  of  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord.'  He  also  quoted 
the  next  verse  differently:  'And  he  shall  plant  in  the  hearts  of 
the  children,  the  promises  made  to  the  fathers,  and  the  hearts 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  59 

of  the  children  shall  turn  to  their  fathers;  if  it  were  not  so,  the 
whole  earth  would  be  utterly  wasted  at  His  coming.' 

"In  addition  to  these,  he  quoted  the  eleventh  chapter  of 
Isaiah,  saying  that  it  was  about  to  be  fulfilled.  He  quoted  also 
the  third  chapter  of  Acts,  twenty-second  and  twenty-third 
verses,  precisely  as  they  stand  in  our  New  Testament.  He  said 
that  prophet  was  Christ,  but  the  day  had  not  yet  come  when 
they  who  would  not  hear  His  voice  should  be  cut  off  from  among 
the  people,  but  soon  would  come. 

"He  also  quoted  the  second  chapter  of  Joel,  from  the 
twenty-eighth  to  the  last  verse.  He  also  said  that  this  was  not 
yet  fulfilled,  but  was  soon  to  be.  And  he  further  stated,  the 
fullness  of  the  Gentiles  was  soon  to  come  in.  He  quoted  many 
other  passages  of  scripture,  and  offered  many  explanations 
which  cannot  be  mentioned  here.  Again,  he  told  me  that 
when  I  got  those  plates  of  which  he  had  spoken  (for  the  time 
that  they  should  be  obtained  was  not  yet  fulfilled)  I  should  not 
show  them  to  any  person,  neither  the  breastplate  with  the  Urim 
and  Thummim,  only  to  those  to  whom  I  should  be  commanded 
to  show  them;  if  I  did  I  should  be  destroyed.  While  he  was 
conversing  with  me  about  the  plates,  the  vision  was  opened  to 
my  mind  that  I  could  see  the  place  where  the  plates  were 
deposited,  and  that  so  clearly  and  distinctly,  that  I  knew  the 
place  again  when  I  visited  it. 

"After  this  communication,  I  saw  the  light  in  the  room 
begin  to  gather  immediately  around  the  person  of  him  who  had 
been  speaking  to  me,  and  it  continued  to  do  so,  until  the  room 
was  again  left  dark,  except  just  around  him,  when  instantly  I 
saw,  as  it  were,  a  conduit  open  right  up  into  heaven,  and  he 
ascended  till  he  entirely  disappeared,  and  the  room  was 
left  as  it  had  been  before  this  heavenly  light  had  made  its 
appearance. 

"I  lay  musing  on  the  singularity  of  the  scene  and  marveling 
greatly  at  what  had  been  told  me  by  this  extraordinary  mes 
senger,  when,  in  the  midst  of  my  meditation,  I  suddenly  dis 
covered  that  my  room  was  again  beginning  to  get  lighted,  and 
in  an  instant,  as  it  were,  the  same  heavenly  messenger  was 
again  by  my  bedside.  He  commenced,  and  again  related  the 
very  same  things  which  he  had  done  at  his  first  visit,  without 
the  least  variation,  which  having  done,  he  informed  me  of 
great  judgments  which  were  coming  upon  the  earth,  with  great 


60  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

desolations  by  famine,  sword,  and  pestilence,  and  that  these 
grievous  judgments  would  come  on  the  earth  in  this  generation. 
Having  related  these  things,  he  again  ascended  as  he  had  done 
before. 

"By  this  time,  so  deep  were  the  impressions  made  on  my 
mind,  that  sleep  had  fled  from  my  eyes,  and  I  lay  overwhelmed 
in  astonishment  at  what  I  had  both  seen  and  heard;  but  what 
was  my  surprise  when  again  I  beheld  the  same  messenger  at 
my  bedside,  and  heard  him  rehearse  or  repeat  over  again  to  me 
the  same  things  as  before,  and  added  a  caution  to  me,  telling  me 
that  Satan  would  try  to  tempt  me  (in  consequence  of  the  indi 
gent  circumstances  of  my  father's  family)  to  get  the  plates 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  rich.  This  he  forbade  me,  saying  that 
I  must  have  no  other  object  in  view  in  getting  the  plates  but 
to  glorify  God,  and  must  not  be  influenced  by  any  other  motive 
than  that  of  building  His  kingdom,  otherwise  I  could  not  get 
them.  After  this  third  visit,  he  again  ascended  up  into  heaven 
as  before,  and  I  was  again  left  to  ponder  on  the  strangeness  of 
what  I  had  just  experienced,  when  almost  immediately  after 
the  heavenly  messenger  had  ascended  from  me  for  the  third  time, 
the  cock  crowed,  and  I  found  that  day  was  approaching,  so  that 
our  interviews  must  have  occupied  the  whole  of  that  night.  I 
shortly  after  arose  from  my  bed,  and,  as  usual,  went  to  the 
necessary  labors  of  the  day;  but,  in  attempting  to  work  as  at 
other  times,  I  found  my  strength  so  exhausted  as  to  render  me 
entirely  unable.  My  father,  who  was  laboring  along  with  me, 
discovered  something  to  be  wrong  with  me,  and  told  me  to  go 
home.  I  started  with  the  intention  of  going  to  the  house,  but, 
in  attempting  to  cross  the  fence  out  of  the  field  where  we  were, 
my  strength  entirely  failed  me,  and  I  fell  helpless  on  the  ground, 
and  for  a  time  was  quite  unconscious  of  anything.  The  first 
thing  that  I  can  recollect  was  a  voice  speaking  unto  me,  calling 
me|by  name;  I  looked  up  and  beheld  the  same  messenger  stand- 
ingfover  my  head,  surrounded  by  light,  as  before.  He  then  again 
related  unto  me  all^that  he  had  related  to  me  the  previous  night, 
and  commanded^me  to  go  to  my  father,  and  tell  him  of  the 
vision  and  commandments  which  I  had  received. 

"I  obeyed;  I  returned  to  my  father  in  the  field  and 
rehearsed  the  whole  matter  to  him.  Hejreplied  to  me  that  it  was 
of  God,  and  told  me  to  go  and  do  as  commanded  by  the  messenger. 
I  left  the  field  and  went  to  the  place  where  the  messenger  had 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  61 

told  me  the  plates  were  deposited,  and  owing  to  the  distinctness 
of  the  vision  which  I  had  had  concerning  it,  I  knew  the  place 
the  instant  that  I  arrived  there.  Convenient  to  the  village  of 
Manchester,  Ontario  County,  New  York,  stands  a  hill  of 
considerable  size,  and  the  most  elevated  of  any  in  the  neighbor 
hood.  On  the  west  side  of  this  hill,  not  far  from  the  top,  under 
a  stone  of  considerable  size,  lay  the  plates,  deposited  in  a  stone 
box;  this  stone  was  thick  and  rounding  in  the  middle  on  the 
upper  side,  and  thinner  towards  the  edges,  so  that  the  middle 
part  of  it  was  visible  above  the  ground,  but  the  edge  all  around 
was  covered  with  earth.  Having  removed  the  earth,  I  ob 
tained  a  lever,  which  I  got  fixed  under  the  edge  of  the  stone, 
and  with  a  little  exertion  raised  it  up;  I  looked  in,  and  there 
indeed  did  I  behold  the  plates,  the  Urim  and  Thummim,  and 
the  breastplate  as  stated  by  the  messenger.  The  box  in  which 
they  lay  was  formed  by  laying  stones  together  in  some  kind  of 
cement.  In  the  bottom  of  the  box  were  laid  two  stones  cross- 
ways  of  the  box,  and  on  these  stones  lay  the  plates  and  the  other 
things  with  them.  I  made  an  attempt  to  take  them  out,  but 
was  forbidden  by  the  messenger,  and  was  again  informed  that 
the  time  for  bringing  them  forth  had  not  yet  arrived,  neither 
would  it  arrive  until  four  years  from  that  time;  but  he  told  me 
that  I  should  come  to  that  place  precisely  in  one  year  from  that 
time,  and  that  he  would  there  meet  with  me,  and  that  I  should 
continue  to  do  so  until  the  time  should  come  for  obtaining  the 
plates. 

" Accordingly,  as  I  had  been  commanded,  I  went  at  the  end 
of  each  year,  and  at  each  time  I  found  the  same  messenger  there, 
and  received  instruction  and  intelligence  from  him  at  each  of 
our  interviews,  respecting  what  the  Lord  was  going  to  do,  and 
how  and  in  what  manner  His  kingdom  was  to  be  conducted  in 
the  last  days. 

"As  my  father's  worldly  circumstances  were  very  limited, 
we  were  under  the  necessity  of  laboring  with  our  hands,  hiring 
out  by  day's  work  and  otherwise,  as  we  could  get  opportunity; 
sometimes  we  were  at  home  and  sometimes  abroad,  and  by 
continuous  labor  were  enabled  to  get  a  comfortable  maintenance. 

"In  the  year  1824  my  father's  family  met  with  a  great 
affliction,  by  the  death  of  my  eldest  brother,  Alvin.  In  the 
month  of  October,  1825,  I  hired  with  an  old  gentleman,  by  the 
name  of  Josiah  Stoal,  who  lived  in  Chenango  County,  State  of 


62  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

New  York.  He  had  heard  something  of  a  silver  mine  having 
been  opened  by  the  Spaniards  in  Harmony,  Susquehanna 
County,  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  had,  previous  to  my  hiring 
to  him,  been  digging,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  discover  the 
mine.  After  I  went  to  live  with  him,  he  took  me  with  the  rest 
of  his  hands  to  dig  for  the  silver  mine,  at  which  I  continued  to 
work  for  nearly  a  month,  without  success  in  our  undertaking, 
and  finally  I  prevailed  with  the  old  gentleman  to  cease  digging 
.  after  it.  Hence  arose  the  very  prevalent  story  of  my  having 
been  a  money  digger. 

"During  the  time  that  I  was  thus  employed,  I  was  put  to 
board  with  a  Mr.  Isaac  Hale,  of  that  place;  it  was  there  I 
first  saw  my  wife  (his  daughter)  Emma  Hale.  On  the  18th 
of  January,  1827,  we  were  married,  while  I  was  yet  employed  in 
the  service  of  Mr.  Stoal. 

"Owing  to  my  continuing  to  assert  that  I  had  seen  a  vision, 
persecution  still  followed  me,  and  my  wife's  father's  family  were 
very  much  opposed  to  our  being  married.  I  was  therefore  under 
the  necessity  of  taking  her  elsewhere,  so  we  went  and  were 
married  at  the  house  of  Squire  Tarbill,  in  South  Bainbridge, 
Chenango  County,  New  York.  Immediately  after  my  marriage, 
I  left  Mr.  Steal's  and  went  to  my  father's  and  farmed  with  him 
that  season. 

"At  length  the  time  arrived  for  obtaining  the  plates,  the 
Urim  and  Thummim,  and  the  breastplate.  On  the  22nd  day 
of  September,  1827,  having  gone,  as  usual,  at  the  end  of  another 
year,  to  the  place  where  they  were  deposited,  the  same  heavenly 
messenger  delivered  them  up  to  me  with  this  charge,  that  I 
should  be  responsible  for  them;  that  if  I  should  let  them  go 
carelessly  or  through  any  neglect  of  mine,  I  should  be  cut  off; 
but  that  if  I  would  use  all  my  endeavors  to  preserve  them, 
until  he,  the  messenger,  should  call  for  them,  they  should  be 
protected. 

"I  soon  found  out  the  reason  why  I  had  received  such  strict 
charges  to  keep  them  safe,  and  why  it  was  that  the  messenger 
had  said,  that  when  I  had  done  what  was  required  at  my  hand, 
he  would  call  for  them ;  for  no  sooner  was  it  known  that  I  had 
them,  than  the  most  strenuous  exertions  were  used  to  get  them 
from  me;  every  stratagem  that  could  be  invented  was  resorted 
to  for  that  purpose.  The  persecution  became  more  bitter  and 
severe  than  before,  and  multitudes  were  on  the  alert  continually 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  63 

to  get  them  from  me  if  possible;  but,  by  the  wisdom  of  God, 
they  remained  safe  in  my  hands,  until  I  had  accomplished  by 
them  what  was  required  at  my  hand;  when,  according  to  arrange 
ments,  the  messenger  called  for  them,  I  delivered  them  up  to 
him,  and  he  has  them  in  his  charge  until  this  day,  being  the 
2nd  of  May,  1838. 

' 'The  excitement,  however,  still  continued,  and  rumor, 
with  her  thousand  tongues,  was  all  the  time  employed  in  cir 
culating  falsehoods  about  my  father's  family  and  about  myself. 
If  I  were  to  relate  a  thousandth  part  of  them,  it  would  fill  up 
volumes.  The  persecution,  however,  became  so  intolerable 
that  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  leaving  Manchester,  and 
going  with  my  wife  to  Susquehanna  County,  in  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  While  preparing  to  start  (being  very  poor,  and 
the  persecutions  so  heavy  upon  us,  that  there  was  no  probabi 
lity  that  we  would  ever  be  otherwise),  in  the  midst  of  our  af 
flictions  we  found  a  friend  in  a  gentleman  by  the  name  of 
Martin  Harris,  who  came  to  us  and  gave  me  fifty  dollars  to 
assist  us  on  our  journey.  Mr.  Harris  was  a  resident  of  Palmyra 
Township,  Wayne  County,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  a 
farmer  of  respectability.  By  this  timely  aid  was  I  enabled  to 
reach  the  place  of  my  destination  in  Pennsylvania,  and"  im 
mediately  after  my  arrival  there  I  commenced  copying  the 
characters  of  the  plates.  I  copied  a  considerable  number  of 
them,  and  by  means  of  the  Urim  and  Thummim  I  translated 
some  of  them,  which  I  did  between  the  time  I  arrived  at  the 
house  of  my  wife's  father,  in  the  month  of  December,  and  the 
February  following. 

"Some  time  in  this  month  of  February,  the  aforementioned 
Mr.  Martin  Harris  came  to  our  place,  got  the  characters  which 
I  had  drawn  off  the  plates,  and  started  with  them  to  the  city  of 
New  York.  For  what  took  place  relative  to  him  and  the  charac 
ters,  I  refer  to  his  own  account  of  the  circumstances,  as  he 
related  them  to  me  after  his  return,  which  was  as  follows: 

"  'I  went  to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  presented  the  char 
acters  which  had  been  translated,  with  the  translation  thereof, 
to  Professor  Anthon,  a  gentleman  celebrated  for  his  literary 
attainments.  Professor  Anthon  stated  that  the  translation  was 
correct,  more  so  than  any  he  had  before  seen  translated  from 
the  Egyptian.  I  then  showed  him  those  which  were  not  yet  trans 
lated,  and  he  said  that  they  were  Egyptian,"  Chaldaic,  Assyric 


64  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

and  Arabic,  and  he  said  that  they  were  true  characters.  He 
gave  me  a  certificate  certifying  to  the  people  of  Palmyra  that 
they  were  true  characters,  and  that  the  translation  of  such  of  them 
as  had  been  translated  was  also  correct.  I  took  the  certificate 
and  put  it  into  my  pocket,  and  was  just  leaving  the  house, 
when  Mr.  Anthon  called  me  back,  and  asked  me  how  the 
young  man  found  out  that  there  were  gold  plates  in  the  place 
where  he  found  them.  I  answered  that  an  angel  of  God  had 
revealed  it  unto  him. 

"  'He  then  said  to  me,  "Let  me  see  that  certificate."  I 
accordingly  took  it  out  of  my  pocket  and  gave  it  to  him,  when 
he  took  it  and  tore  it  to  pieces,  saying  that  there  was  no  such 
thing  now  as  ministering  of  angels,  and  that  if  I  would  bring 
the  plates  to  him,  he  would  translate  them.  I  informed  him 
that  part  of  the  plates  were  sealed,  and  that  I  was  forbidden  to 
bring  them;  he  replied,  "I  cannot  read  a  sealed  book."  I  left 
him  and  went  to  Dr.  Mitchell,  who  sanctioned  what  Professor 
Anthon  had  said  respecting  both  the  characters  and  the  transla 
tion.' 

"On  the  5th  day  of  April,  1829,  Oliver  Cowdery  came  to 
my  house,  until  which  time  I  had  never  seen  him.  He  stated  to  me 
that  having  been  teaching  school  in  the  neighborhood  where  my 
father  resided,  and  my  father  being  one  of  those  who  sent 
to  the  school,  he  went  to  board  for  a  season  at  his  house,  and 
while  there,  the  family  related  to  him  the  circumstance  of  my 
having  received  the  plates,  and  accordingly  he  had  come  to 
make  inquiries  of  me. 

"Two  days  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Cowdery  (being  the 
17th  of  April)  I  commenced  to  translate  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
and  he  began  to  write  for  me. 

"We  still  continued  the  work  of  translation,  when,  in  the 
ensuing  month  (May,  1829),  we  on  a  certain  day  went  into  the 
woods  to  pray  and  inquire  of'the  Lord  respecting  baptism  for 
the  remission  of  sins,  that  we  found  mentioned  in  the  translation 
of  the  plates.  While  we  were  thus  employed,  praying  and  calling 
upon  the  Lord,  a  messenger  from  heaven  descended  in  a  cloud 
of  light,  and  having  laid  his  hands  upon  us,  he  ordained  us, 
saying:  'Upon  you,  my  fellow-servants,  in  the  name  of 
Messiah,  I  confer  the  Priesthood  of  Aaron,  which  holds  the 
keys  of  the  ministering  of  angels,  and  of  the  gospel  of  repent 
ance,  and  of  baptism  by  immersion  for  the  remission  of  sins; 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  65 

and  this  shall  never  be  taken  again  from  the  earth,  until  the 
sons  of  Levi  do  offer  again  an  offering  unto  the  Lord  in  righteous 
ness.'  He  said  this  Aaronic  Priesthood  had  not  the  power  of 
laying  on  hands  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  but  that  this 
should  be  conferred  on  us  hereafter;  and  he  commanded  us  to  go 
and  be  baptized,  and  gave  us  directions  that  I  should  baptize 
Oliver  Cowdery,  and  that  afterwards  he  should  baptize  me. 

"Accordingly  we  went  and  were  baptized — I  baptized  him 
first,  and  afterwards  he  baptized  me — after  which  I  laid  my 
hands  upon  his  head  and  ordained  him  to  the  Aaronic  Priest 
hood,  and  afterwards  he  laid  his  hands  on  me  and  ordained  me  to 
the  same  Priesthood — for  so  we  were  commanded. 

"The  messenger  who  visited  us  on  this  occasion,  and  con 
ferred  this  Priesthood  upon  us,  said  his  name  was  John,  the 
same  that  is  called  John  the  Baptist  in  the  New  Testament, 
and  that  he  acted  under  the  direction  of  Peter,  James,  and 
John,  who  held  the  keys  of  the  Priesthood  of  Melchisedek, 
which  Priesthood,  he  said,  would  in  due  time  be  conferred  on 
us,  and  that  I  should  be  called  the  first  elder  of  the  Church  and 
he  (Oliver  Cowdery)  the  second.  It  was  on  the  15th  day  of 
May,  1829,  that  we  were  ordained  under  the  hand  of  the 
messenger  and  baptized. 

"Immediately  on  our  coming  up  out  of  the  water,  after 
we  had  been  baptized,  we  experienced  great  and  glorious 
blessings  from  our  Heavenly  Father.  No  sooner  had  I  baptized 
Oliver  Cowdery  than  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  upon  him,  and  he 
stood  up  and  prophesied  many  things  which  should  shortly 
come  to  pass.  And  again,  so  soon  as  I  had  been  baptized  by 
him,  I  also  had  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  when,  standing  up,  I 
prophesied  concerning  the  rise  of  this  Church,  and  many  other 
things  connected  with  the  Church  and  this  generation  of  the 
children  of  men.  We  were  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  re 
joiced  in  the  God  of  our  salvation. 

"Our  minds  being  now  enlightened,  we  began  to  have  the 
scriptures  laid  open  to  our  understandings,  and  the  true  mean 
ing  of  their  more  mysterious  passages  revealed  unto  us  in  a 
manner  which  we  never  could  attain  to  previously,  nor  ever 
before  had  thought  of.  In  the  meantime  we  were  forced  to  keep 
secret  the  circumstances  of  our  having  been  baptized  and  having 
received  the  Priesthood,  owing  to  a  spirit  of  persecution  which 
had  already  manifested  itself  in  the  neighborhood.  We  had 


66  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

been  threatened  with  being  mobbed,  from  time  to  time,  and 
this,  too,  by  professors  of  religion.  And  their  intentions  of 
mobbing  us  were  only  counteracted  by  the  influence  of  my 
wife's  father's  family  (under  Divine  Providence,)  who  had 
become  very  friendly  to  me,  and  who  were  opposed  to  mobs, 
and  were  willing  that  I  should  be  allowed  to  continue  the  work 
of  translation  without  interruption;  and  therefore  offered  and 
promised  us  protection  from  all  unlawful  proceedings  as  far 
as  in  them  lay." 

"Have  you  any  further  proof  to  offer  respecting  the  divine 
authenticity  of  this  book  you  refer  to?" 

"Yes,  we  have  evidence  sufficient  to  establish  its  divinity 
beyond  doubt,  before  any  impartial  court  on  earth.  I  will  read 
you  from  one  of  our  books  the  voluntary  testimony  of  witnesses 
who  have  not  been  impeached,  as  follows: 

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  THREE  WITNESSES. 

Be  it  known  unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people 
unto  whom  this  work  shall  come,  that  we,  through  the  grace  of 
God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  have  seen  the  plates 
which  contain  this  record,  which  is  a  record  of  the  people  of 
Nephi,  and  also  of  the  Lamanites,  their  brethren,  and  also  of  the 
people  of  Jared,  who  came  from  the  tower  of  which  hath  been 
spoken;  and  we  also  know  that  they  have  been  translated  by  the 
gift  and  power  of  God,  for  his  voice  hath  declared  it  unto  us; 
wherefore  we  know  of  a  surety  that  the  work  is  true.  And  we 
also  testify  that  we  have  seen  the  engravings  which  are  upon  the 
plates;  and  they  have  been  shown  unto  us  by  the  power  of  God, 
and  not  of  man.  And  we  declare  with  words  of  soberness,  that 
an  angel  of  God  came  down  from  heaven,  and  he  brought  and 
laid  before  our  eyes,  that  we  beheld  and  saw  the  plates,  and  the 
engravings  thereon;  and  we  know  that  it  is  by  the  grace  of  God 
the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  we  beheld  and 
bear  record  that  these  things  are  true;  and  it  is  marvelous  in 
our  eyes,  nevertheless  the  voice  of  the  Lord  commanded  us  that 
we  should  bear  record  of  it;  wherefore,  to  be  obedient  unto  the 
commandments  of  God,  we  bear  testimony  of  these  things.  And 
we  know  that  if  we  are  faithful  in  Christ,  we  shall  rid  our  gar 
ments  of  the  blood  of  all  men,  and  be  found  spotless  before  the 
judgment-seat  of  Christ,  and  shall  dwell  with  him  eternally  in 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  67 

the  heavens.    And  the  honor  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son, 
and  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  one  God.  Amen. 

Oliver  Cowdery, 
David  Whitmer, 
Martin  Harris." 

"Can  you  give  us  any  other  evidence  respecting  this 
record?" 

1  'Yes,  here  is  also  the  testimony  of  eight  additional  wit 
nesses  who  declare  they  saw  the  plates." 

AND  ALSO  THE  TESTIMONY  OF  EIGHT  WITNESSES. 

"Be  it  known  unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and 
people  unto  whom  this  work  shall  come,  that  Joseph  Smith, 
Jun.,  the  translator  of  this  work,  has  shown  unto  us  the  plates 
of  which  hath  been  spoken,  which  have  the  appearance  of 
gold;  and  as  many  of  the  leaves  as  the  said  Smith  has  trans 
lated,  we  did  handle  with  our  hands;  and  we  also  saw  the  en 
gravings  thereon,  all  of  which  has  the  appearance  of  ancient 
work,  and  of  curious  workmanship.  And  this  we  bear  record  with 
words  of  soberness,  that  the  said  Smith  has  shown  unto  us,  for 
we  have  seen  and  hefted,  and  know  of  a  surety  that  the  said 
Smith  has  got  the  plates  of  which  we  have  spoken.  And  we 
give  our  names  unto  the  world,  to  witness  unto  the  world  that 
which  we  have  seen;  and  we  lie  not,  God  bearing  witness  of  it. 
Christian  Whitmer,  Hiram  Page, 

Jacob  Whitmer,  Joseph  Smith,  Sen., 

Peter  Whitmer,  Jun.,  Hyrum  Smith, 

John  Whitmer,  Samuel  H.  Smith. 

"There  is  one  point,"  said  Brown,  "upon  which  I  would 
like  to  hear  further;  it  is  the  restoration,  before  mentioned. 
If  these  things  are  true,  then  the  gospel  was  not  upon  the 
earth  at  the  time  of  Joseph  Smith's  birth,  and,  as  you  will 
admit,  the  Church  was  organized  in  the  days  of  Christ  and  left 
on  earth  when  He  ascended  on  high:  the  question  then  arises, 
how  was  the  Gospel  taken  from  the  earth?" 

"Let  me  give  you  another  quotation  from  the  Bible  on  the 
subject,"  said  the  Elder.  "From  the  days  of  John  the  Baptist 
until  now  the  kingdom  of  heaven  suffereth  violence;  and  the 
violent  take  it  by  force.'  (Matthew  xi  :12 ) .  By  parity  of  reason 
ing  where  would  our  own  government  be  if  subjected  to  similar 


68  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

treatment?  Suppose,  that  instead  of  Christ  being  crucified,  it 
were  the  President,  that  the  Cabinet  instead  of  the  Apostles 
were  murdered,  the  Congress  and  not  the  Seventies  were 
scattered  to  the  four  winds,  and  our  citizens  were  subjected  to 
the  fate  of  Saints  of  old  in  being  driven  beneath  the  earth — 
what  would  then  remain  of  our  nation?  It  exists  now  proudly 
and  gloriously,  and  has  existed  for  more  than  a  century,  but 
such  treatment  would  leave  it  to  future  generations  as  only  an 
incident  in  history — that  is,  it  came,  it  flourished  and  it  passed 
away,  just  as  did  the  true  religion  in  the  early  days;  and  it  might 
again,  also  like  the  true  religion,  be  restored,  even  as  the  Roman 
Empire  rose,  fell  and  rose  again." 

"I   understand." 

"If  you  have  no  objections,  I  would  like  to  read  to  you  the 
words  of  a  wise  man  on  this  subject,  which  will  illustrate  my 
meaning  in  a  much  clearer  way  than  it  is  possible  for  me  to 
express  it  myself.  The  quotation  is  not  long  and  you  will  ail- 
especially  my  legal  friend — see  the  force  of  his  argument.  He 
uses  these  words: 

"  'Now,  in  order  to  come  at  this  subject  in  plainness,  let  us 
examine  the  constitution  of  earthly  governments  in  regard  to 
the  authority  and  laws  of  adoption.  We  will  say,  for  instance, 
the  President  of  the  United  States  writes  a  commission  to 
A.  B.,  duly  authorizing  him  to  act  in  some  office  in  the  govern 
ment,  and  during  his  administration,  two  gentlemen  from 
Europe  come  to  reside  in  this  country,  and  being  strangers  and 
foreigners  wishing  to  become  citizens,  they  go  before  A.  B.,  and 
he  administers  the  oath  of  allegiance  in  due  form,  and  certifies 
the  same,  and  this  constitutes  them  legal  citizens,  entitled  to 
the  privileges  of  those  who  are  citizens  or  subjects  by  birth. 
After  these  things  A.  B.  is  taken  away  by  death,  and  C.  D.  in 
looking  over  his  papers  happens  to  find  the  commission  given 
to  A.  B.,  and  applying  it  to  his  own  use,  assumes  the  vacant 
office;  meantime,  two  foreigners  arrive  and  apply  for  citizen 
ship  and  being  informed  by  persons  ignorant  of  the  affairs  of 
government  that  C.  D.  could  administer  the  laws  of  adoption, 
they  submit  to  be  administered  unto  by  C.  D.  without  once 
examining  his  authority;  C.  D.  certifies  of  their  citizenship, 
and  they  suppose  they  have  been  legally  adopted,  the  same  as 
the  others,  and  are  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  citizenship. 
But  by  and  by  their  citizenship  is  called  into  question,  and  they 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  69 

produce  the  certificates  of  C.  D.;  the  President  inquires,  'Who  is 
C.  D.?  I  never  gave  him  a  commission  to  act  in  any  office,  I 
know  him  not  and  you  are  strangers  and  foreigners  to  the  com 
monwealth,  until  you  go  before  the  legally  appointed  suc 
cessor  of  A.  B.,  or  some  other  of  like  authority,  who  has  a 
commission  from  the  President  direct  in  his  own  name.'  In  the 
meantime  C.  D.  is  taken  and  punished  according  to  law,  for 
practicing  imposition,  and  usurping  authority  which  was  never 
conferred  upon  him.  And  so  it  is  with  the  kingdom  of  God.  The 
Lord  authorized  the  Apostles  and  others,  by  direct  revelation, 
and  by  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  to  preach  and  baptize,  and  build 
up  His  church  and  kingdom;  but  after  awhile  they  die,  and  a 
long  time  passed  away;  men  reading  over  their  commission, 
where  it  says  to  the  eleven  Apostles,  'Go  ye  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,  etc.,  have  had  the  pre 
sumption  to  apply  these  sayings  as  their  authority,  and,  with 
out  any  other  commission,  have  gone  forth  professing  to  preach 
the  gospel,  and  baptize,  and  build  up  the  church  and  kingdom 
of  God;  but  those  whom  they  baptize  never  receive  the  same 
blessings  and  gifts  which  characterized  a  Saint,  or  citizen  of  the 
kingdom,  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles.  Why?  Because  they  are 
yet  foreigners  and  strangers,  for  the  commission  given  to  the 
Apostles  never  commissioned  any  other  man  to  act  in  their 
stead.  This  was  a  prerogative  the  Lord  reserved  unto  Himself. 
No  man  has  a  right  to  take  this  ministry  unto  himself,  but  he 
that  is  called  by  revelation,  and  duly  qualified  to  act  in  his 
calling  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 

"You  give  us  abundance  of  authority,  as  well  as  your  own 
testimony  and  evidence,"  said  the  doctor.  "You  have  developed 
a  wide  and  profound  subject  for  our  consideration,  and  for  one 
I  regret  that  we  cannot  at  once  hear  you  out,  that  is,  go  to  the 
end  of  the  subject  with  you,  and  know  all  that  you  are  in  pos 
session  of  in  regard  to  it.  Right  or  wrong,  one  thing  is  plainly 
manifest — that  you  convey  a  philosophy  each  part  of  which  is 
so  reasonable,  consistent  and  harmonious  with  every  other 
part,  and  with  the  ground-work  itself,  that  he  who  doubts 
must  question  himself  as  to  why  he  doubts.  And  now,  let  me 
ask,  will  it  not  be  practicable  for  you  to  remain  another  day?" 

"While  it  would  give  me,  personally,  the  greatest  pleasure  to 
do  so,  it  must  be  remembered  that  I  am  not  performing  this 
work  for  my  own  individual  gratification.  The  field  is  a  broad 


70  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

one,  and  just  think  how  small  a  portion  of  it  I  would  be  able  to 
cover  should  I  give  way  to  my  present  inclinations  and  remain 
unduly  long  in  places  where  everything  is  so  pleasant  as  here. 
No,  I  must  go,  but  hope  to  return  to  this  region  again." 

"Well,  of  course  you  understand  your  own  affairs  best, 
but  you  are  making  such  headway  here  that  I  hoped  it  might  be 
desirable  for  you  to  continue  to  the  end." 

"So  it  would  be  but  for  the  reasons  stated.  My  train 
departs  at  11  o'clock  tomorrow,  and  I  must  fill  the  appoint 
ments  I  have  made." 


CHAPTER   IX. 
That   Mormon    Again. 

Some  months  had  passed  away  since  the  Elder  took  his 
departure  from  Westminster,  and  during  this  time  his  name  had 
been  on  everybody's  lips,  both  good  and  evil.  The  principles 
advanced  by  him  had  taken  such  root  in  the  minds  of  many  that 
it  seemed  impossible  for  them  to  lay  the  doctrine  aside.  Among 
this  class  were  the  Marsh  alls,  who,  by  the  way,  had  increased 
their  family  by  the  addition  of  a  son-in-law,  their  daughter 
Claire  having,  as  was  anticipated,  changed  her  name  from 
Marshall  to  Sutherland. 

Herbert  Sutherland  was  a  rising  young  man  of  Westminster, 
well  and  favorably  known  to  most  of  the  people.  He  had  for 
several  years  been  very  much  attached  to  Miss  Marshall,  and, 
as  the  love  was  mutual,  of  course  no  one  appeared  surprised  in 
the  least  when  the  wedding  took  place.  Joy,  and  promise  of  an 
unclouded  life,  seemed  to  be  the  portion  of  the  young  couple. 

Breakfast  had  been  waiting  for  over  an  hour  for  Mr. 
Marshall,  and  his  good  wife  had  become  almost  impatient, 
when  the  gate  opened  and  he  entered,  saying  to  his  wife,  "You 
must  overlook  this  delay,  as  I  have  been  detained  at  the  station. 
While  passing,  I  noticed  a  familiar  friend  and  could  not  resist  the 
temptation  of  spending  with  him  the  forty  minutes  given  for 
transferring  baggage,  even  when  aware  that  the  detention  kept 
you  and  the  breakfast  waiting." 

"Well,  I  declare,"  said  Mrs.  Marshall,  "You  must  have  met 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  71 

a  very  esteemed  friend  indeed,  to  have  remained  so  long  at  the 
expense  of  so  many." 

"Who  was  it,  papa?"  remarked  Claire;  "it's  no  use  asking 
us  to  guess,  for  you  know  we  are  not  Yankees  enough  for  that." 

"One  would  imagine  you  had  been  in  the  presence  of  a 
number  of  friends,"  said  Mr.  Sutherland,  "judging  from  the 
pleased  expression  on  your  face." 

"Well,  why  not  tell  us  who  it  was?"  said  Mrs.  Marshall. 

"It  was  one  whose  visit  with  us  was  very  short,  but  whose 
name  has  been  mentioned  since  scores  of  times,"  Mr.  Marshall 
answered;  "and  now  we  will  go  to  the  dining  room,  and  in  the 
meantime  I  will  tell  you  what  my  conversation  was  with  Mr. 
Charles  Durant,  of  Salt  Lake  City,  our  Mormon  friend." 

"I  had  learned  that  he  promised  while  here  to  visit  you 
again,"  remarked  Mr.  Sutherland,  "and  is  it  possible,  he  has 
been  so  near  and  yet  failed  to  keep  his  promise?  I  did  not  think 
this  of  Mr.  Durant,  for,  while  I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  his 
acquaintance,  I  had  formed  a  very  good  opinion  of  him  from 
remarks  made  by  others,  and  was  in  hopes  of  seeing  him  myself 
some  day." 

"And  so  you  shall,"  answered  Mr.  Marshall,  "I  tell  you  he 
has  not  forgotten.  He  is  on  his  way  home,  it  is  true,  but  has 
taken  a  trip  up  the  country  for  a  few  days,  and  intends  visiting 
us  when  he  returns." 

"That's  better,"  said  Sutherland;  "I  do  not  wish  to  miss 
what  you  people  claim  was  a  treat  to  you." 

With  this  the  family  adjourned  to  the  dining  room,  where 
Mr.  Marshall  acquainted  them  with  all  the  facts  received  from 
Mr.  Durant.  He  had  performed  his  work  to  the  entire  satis 
faction  of  the  president  of  the  Southern  States  Mission,  and  had 
been  given  leave  of  absence  to  return  home;  but  he  had  received 
word  while  en  route  that  some  Elders  had  been  terribly  beaten 
by  a  band  of  fanatics.  He  was  instructed  to  pay  his  fellow 
laborers  a  visit,  and  administer  to  their  wants  before  continuing 
his  homeward  journey.  While  he  had  in  view  a  pleasant  visit 
with  the  Marshalls,  he  could  not  think  of  enjoying  the  same 
before  performing  a  duty  to  the  brethren  in  distress.  He  would 
be  with  the  Marshalls  in  a  day  or  two  and  would  then  remain 
some  days  in  their  company. 

"He  has  promised,"  said  Mr.  Marshall,  "to  answer  all  the 
questions  we  have  been  accumulating  for  him,  and  will  be 


72  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

pleased  indeed  to  have  as  many  of  our  neighbors  spend  the 
evening  with  him  as  we  are  willing  to  invite." 

"Exactly  what  Herbert  has  been  wishing  for,"  exclaimed 
Claire.  "Knowing  so  well  that  Mr.  Durant  and  the  Mormon 
gospel  doctrines  have  made  a  deep  impression  on  us,  he  has  been 
very  anxious  to  converse  with  this  missionary." 

"Yes,"  answered  Sutherland.  "If  all  I  have  heard  from 
you  is  correct,  then  I  am  surprised  that  this  peculiar  people 
are  despised  to  such  an  extent.  The  principles  you  have  ex 
plained  to  me,  as  received  from  him,  are  logical  and  good,  and 
Mr.  Brown  tells  me  they  have  had  such  an  influence  with  him, 
that  nothing  short  of  a  visit  to  Salt  Lake  City  will  satisfy  the 
longing  he  has  to  study  the  Mormon  question  as  he  desires; 
and  as  for  Claire,  why  she  has  gone  over  her  Bible  and  marked 
the  passages  quoted  by  the  Elder,  until  the  Sacred  Book  looks 
like  a  Chinese  record." 

"And  better  than  that,"  exclaimed  his  young  wife,  "I  have 
committed  the  most  of  them  to  memory,  and  should  he  desire 
an  assistant,  I  can  surprise  not  only  him  but  all  of  you  with  my 
knowledge  of  those  principles.  I  realize  how  much  happiness 
God  has  given  me  in  this  world,  and  how  much  I  should  en 
deavor  to  please  Him,  and  have  therefore  devoted  more  time 
to  reading  His  word  than  ever  before,  and,  strange  to  say,  I 
have  found  passages  quoted  by  Mr.  Durant  whenever  I  have 
read,  and  the  verses  marked  in  my  Bible  seem  to  lead  to  some 
thing  else  that  he  has  said.  His  testimony  is  so  deeply  rooted  in 
my  heart  that  I  almost  believe  his  people  will  yet  be  my  people, 
and  his  faith  will  be  my  faith." 

"Why,  Claire,"  said  her  mother,  "if  you  are  not  careful, 
you  will  be  a  Mormon  before  you  are  aware." 

"And  should  you  become  one,"  said  her  husband,  "think 
of  your  many  friends,  and  the  opinions  they  will  have  of  you." 

"Well,  I  haven't  joined  the  Mormons  yet,"  said  Claire; 
"but  if  I  do,  it  will  be  because  I  believe  them  to  be  right;  and 
if  I  have  your  good  will,  Herbert,  and  that  of  papa  and  mamma, 
what  care  I  for  the  opinions  of  others?" 

"Well  said,"  answered  Herbert,  with  a  smile;  "but  we  will 
see  if  we  cannot  'corner'  your  missionary,  get  him  into  an 
argumentative  jail,  if  you  please,  from  which  it  will  be  difficult 
or  impossible  for  him  to  escape.  Should  he  be  able  to  make  the 
gospel  he  teaches  as  plain  and  as  reasonable  as  the  doctrines 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  73 

that  are  set  forth  in  the  tracts  which  he  left  here,  I  can  see  no 
reason  why  any  earnest  sincere  searcher  after  knowledge 
cannot  adopt  that  gospel  as  a  living  truth." 

It  was  agreed,  therefore,  that  when  the  promised  telegram 
from  Durant  should  be  received,  giving  the  date  of  his  arrival, 
the  neighbors  were  to  be  invited,  and  the  large  dining  room 
would  be  turned  into  an  informal  meeting  place  where  the 
principles  of  the  gospel,  as  believed  in  by  the  Mormons,  could 
be  further  explained. 


CHAPTER  X. 
The  Missionary's   Return. 

Elder  Charles  Durant  returned  to  Westminster  just  ten 
days  after  the  time  of  his  meeting  with  Mr.  Marshall  at  the 
station.  He  was  heartily  welcomed  by  the  family,  and  being 
comfortably  seated  at  the  dinner  table,  the  conversation  natur 
ally  drifted  to  a  detailed  account  of  his  experiences  since  his 
first  visit.  His  labors  had  been  divided  somewhat  in  two  or 
three  different  states.  He  met  with  many  kinds  of  people, 
and  with  a  variety  of  treatments,  since  leaving  the  home  of  the 
Marshalls;  he  made  many  friends  as  well  as  a  few  enemies,  but 
had  endeavored  to  perform  his  work  in  a  way  to  meet  the  ap 
probation  of  that  Being  who  had  commissioned  him  to  spread 
His  word  among  the  children  of  men.  Having  performed  his 
work  to  the  satisfaction  of  those  under  whom  he  labored,  he 
was,  as  previously  stated,  released  therefrom,  for  a  time  at 
least,  and  had  commenced  his  journey  towards  the  land  of  his 
birth,  where  dwelt  his  loved  ones,  when  the  telegram  reached 
him  from  the  president  of  the  Mission  to  the  effect  that  several 
Elders  had  been  mobbed  in  a  neighboring  county,  and  asking 
that  he  visit  his  brethren  on  his  way  home,  as  stated  before. 

After  the  meal,  the  family  adjourned  to  the  sitting  room 
when  the  missionary  was  requested  to  give  an  account  of  the 
mobbing  of  the  Elders  whom  he  had  just  visited. 

He  said  that  they  had  been  laboring  for  several  months, 
holding  meetings  wherever  they  could  get  an  opportunity,  and 
had  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  permission  of  the  trustees  to 
hold  their  meetings  in  a  schoolhouse — they  being  solicited  to 


74  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

hold  religious  services  by  the  people,  and  explain  the  gospel  to 
them. 

A  family  named  Brooks  expressed  a  desire  to  be  baptized, 
and  the  Elders  had  consented  to  perform  the  ordinance  on  a 
a  fixed  day,  according  to  their  custom,  and  in  conformity  with 
the  plan  of  salvation  as  pointed  out  by  Christ,  the  early  Apostles, 
and  by  John  the  Baptist  who  baptized  openly  in  the  river 
Jordan,  and  "In  Aenon  near  to  Salim  because  there  was  much 
water  there." 

At  the  appointed  time  the  ordinance  was  performed,  a 
number  of  persons  being  present  who  came  for  the  purpose  of 
sneering  at  the  rite,  and  making  sport  of  its  sacredness,  which 
they  did,  but  to  which  the  Elders  paid  only  little  attention, 
having  become  accustomed  to  the  jeers  of  the  wicked.  On  the 
same  evening  there  was  a  pleasant  association  at  the  residence 
of  the  newly-baptized  family,  the  time  being  spent  in  singing 
sacred  songs  and  in  conversation.  Retiring  at  9  o'clock,  leaving 
their  bedroom  door  open  owing  to  the  heat,  they  were  at  11 
o'clock  rudely  awakened,  and  ordered  to  get  up,  to  accompany 
a  mob  of  about  fifteen  men  into  the  woods. 

"You  are  a  pretty-looking  lot  of  fellows,"  said  one  of  the 
Elders  as  he  counted  them  and  glanced  at  their  masked  faces. 

"What  do  you  consider  the  Savior  would  think  of  your 
mission  if  He  were  here?  Why  do  you  disturb  the  slumbers  of 
the  peaceful  citizens  at  night,  thus  hideously  masked?  If  we  have 
transgressed  any  law,  we  are  amenable;  take  us  before  your 
magistrates,  and  we  will  answer  to  any  charge  you  may  prefer." 

"We  don't  want  you  to  preach  any  more  in  this  locality," 
said  one  of  the  masked  men. 

"Then  the  best  way  to  stop  us  is  to  induce  the  people  to 
cease  attending  our  meetings." 

At  this  juncture  the  inmates  of  the  house  were  alarmed, 
and  Mr.  B.  came  in,  taking  a  glance  at  each  of  the  disturbers. 

A  voice  on  the  outside  was  heard  to  cry:  "Captain!  captain! 
enough  said,  enough  said." 

The  mob  then  withdrew,  and  the  Elders  retired  again, 
still  leaving  the  door  unlocked.  They  remained  there  the 
following  day,  but  subsequently  spent  some  time  visiting  friends 
in  other  districts.  In  the  course  of  two  weeks  they  returned  to 
the  same  place.  On  their  way  thither,  there  were  a  few  who 
hurled  insults  at  them,  but  to  this  they  paid  no  attention.  They 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  75 

arrived  at  Mr.  Brooks'  house  at  5  o'clock  in  the  evening,  where 
they  met  companions,  and  where  the  time  was  spent  in  speaking 
of  the  gospel,  singing  hymns,  and  in  conversing  upon  a  variety 
of  subjects  concerning  Utah  and  her  people.  No  signs  of  dis 
turbance  appeared,  save  an  occasional  ominous  bark  of  the 
house  dog. 

The  Elders  retired  with  sweet  recollections  of  home,  to  be 
roughly  awakened  at  2  o'clock  at  night,  by  the  harsh  cry  of  "Sur 
render."  They  were  surrounded  by  a  horde  of  ruffians,  armed 
with  guns,  pistols,  and  clubs;  and  in  the  most  blasphemous 
language  were  ordered  to  get  up,  the  mobbers  in  the  mean 
time  brandishing  their  weapons  in  the  faces  of  the  Elders. 
Not  obeying  orders  as  rapidly  as  the  mob  wished  them  to,  they 
were  each  (there  being  four  of  them),  seized  by  two  of  the 
cowards,  one  on  either  side,  dragged  from  their  beds  in  an  in 
human  manner,  and  marched  along  the  road,  an  eighth  of  a 
mile,  dressed  only  in  their  thin  summer  night-clothing.  Re- 
sistence  was  impossible,  and  the  attempt  of  the  proprietor  of 
the  house  to  assist  them  was  met  with  curses,  a  blow  across 
the  forehead,  with  the  exclamation:  "If  you  show  your  head  out 
of  this  house  before  6  o'clock  tomorrow  morning,  we  will  kill 
you." 

The  train  marched  on,  the  vilest  curses  and  the  blackest 
oaths  being  uttered  against  them  that  mortals  can  express. 
There  was  no  charge  preferred  against  them,  and  they  said: 
"If  we  have  broken  any  law,  take  us  before  the  courts,"  but 
the  only  reply  was: 

"We  are  law  enough  for  you." 

What  was  to  be  their  fate,  they  knew  not,  until  the  mob 
began  cutting  and  trimming  limbs  of  trees  from  four  to  six 
feet  long,  having  ugly  knots.  Soon  the  Elders  were  ordered 
to  bend  over  a  fallen  log  about  two  feet  through,  when  their 
doom  was  made  plain  to  them.  They  were  terribly  whipped, 
receiving  lash  after  lash  upon  their  backs  without  a  question 
being  asked,  or  an  opportunity  being  afforded  to  appeal  from 
this  inhuman  treatment.  Occasionally  they  arose  to  say  a  word, 
but  were  immediately  thrust  down  again  by  some  of  the  mob 
using  pistols  or  clubs.  In  this  way  three  received  severe  scalp 
wounds.  The  woods  resounded  with  the  lashes  and  the  groans 
of  the  tortured;  thirty-five  stripes  had  been  laid  upon  them, 
when  they  were  requested  to  leave  the  country.  Too  faint  to 


76  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

comply,  their  hesitancy  was  construed  as  a  refusal,  and  they 
were  once  more  belabored  with  redoubled  fury,  causing  them 
to  cringe  beneath  the  cruel  beech-limbs  wielded  by  a  sturdy 
fiend  weighing  over  two  hundred  pounds.  Fifty  stripes  each, 
they  received,  and  yet  they  had  injured  no  man!  How  terrible! 
but  it  was  all  for  the  sake  of  the  gospel.  Finally,  after  such 
torture,  they  were  released,  upon  promising  to  leave  the  country 
the  next  day. 

They  returned  to  their  friend  and  brother,  but  in  what  a 
lacerated  condition!  They  found  him  sitting  in  the  door  bleed 
ing  from  his  wounds.  They  dressed  each  other's  wounds  as 
best  they  could,  then  lay  down  in  troubled  rest  till  morning, 
when  they  departed  to  the  place  where  Elder  Durant  met 
them,  perhaps  never  to  return. 

While  rehearsing  not  only  his  own  experience  but  that  of 
his  wounded  brothers,  no  one  listened  with  more  marked 
attention  than  Claire's  husband.  From  the  moment  he  was 
introduced  'to  Durant,  at  the  depot,  they  became  very  much 
attached  to  each  other,  and,  as  expressed  by  Mr.  Sutherland, 
it  seemed  as  if  they  had  always  been  acquainted. 

Later,  while  these  two  were  conversing  upon  the  veranda, 
Mr.  Sutherland  interrupted  the  Elder  by  asking:  "How  do  you 
account  for  the  peculiar  feelings  attending  the  formation  of 
new  friendship,  Mr.  Durant?  Have  you  not  noticed  that  upon 
many  occasions  when  introduced  to  a  person,  you  feel  as  well 
acquainted  as  if  you  had  known  him  for  years?" 

"Yes,"  replied  Elder  Durant,  "I  have  noticed  it  often, 
and  have  frequently  wondered  if  occasions  where  such  feelings 
are  manifested  were  really  the  beginning  of  an  acquaintance." 

"I  have  certainly  been  very  much  impressed  with  this 
sensation  at  times  when  I  have  been  absolutely  certain  of  its 
being  the  first  meeting,"  replied  Sutherland;  "for  instance, 
to  be  frank,  it  is  the  case  with  you.  I  am  certain  beyond  ques 
tion  that  you  and  I  have  never  met  previous  to  this  day,  and 
yet  I  followed  you  while  giving  the  account  of  your  labors  and 
the  troubles  of  your  brethren,  with  as  much  interest  as  if  you 
were  my  own  brother;  and  I  have  felt  all  day  long  that  we  have 
always  been  acquainted." 

"Mr.  Sutherland,"  said  the  Elder,  "who  knows  but  before 
now  we  have  been  better  acquainted  than  you  are  with  any 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  77 

gentleman  in  your  village,  and  that  we  have  merely  forgotten 
our  former  associations  together?" 

"I  do  not  understand  your  meaning,"  said  Sutherland; 
"I  am  certain  we  have  never  seen  each  other  before,  and  con 
sequently  I  cannot  comprehend  your  idea  when  you  intimate 
that  perhaps  we  have  been  well  acquainted.  You  came  from 
the  West,  while  I  have  always  lived  here,  where  you  have  never 
dwelt  except  during  your  former  visit  to  Mr.  Marshall's  home, 
and  how,  therefore,  can  it  be  possible  for  us  ever  to  have  met 
before?" 

"I  do  not  claim  for  an  instant  that  such  is  the  case,  Mr. 
Sutherland,  but  the  idea  afforded  me  such  a  splendid  chance  to 
open  a  conversation  upon  a  principle  believed  in  by  my  people, 
that  I  could  not  resist  the  opportunity  of  saying  what  I  did, 
and,  as  you  say  you  are  desirous  of  learning  all  you  can  about 
our  views  upon  religious  principles,  you,  yourself,  gave  me  a 
thought,  serving  as  a  text,  for  dwelling  upon  one  of  the  most 
important  of  these." 

"If  that  is  the  case,  I  am  very  glad.  What  is  the  principle?" 

"You  know  that  all  Christians  believe  that  after  death 
there  is  life?" 

"Of  course,  or  why  should  they  take  the  pains  to  prepare 
for  death?  But  what  has  that  to  do  with  having  met  you  be 
fore?" 

"Neither  that  nor  what  I  am  going  to  say  has  anything 
whatever  to  do  with  it,  but,  Mr.  Sutherland,  if  it  is  reasonable 
for  you  and  me  to  believe  we  shall  live  after  death,  why  should 
it  be  unreasonable  for  us  also  to  believe  that  our  spirits  existed 
before  the  birth  of  our  earthly  tabernacles!  There  is  certainly 
something  connected  with  the  intelligence  of  man  that  should 
appeal  to  us  as  if  to  say  that  the  spirit  is  older  that  the  body, 
and  emanated  from  a  more  exalted  place  than  this  earth  of  ours." 

"Why,  Mr.  Durant,"  exclaimed  Sutherland  in  astonish 
ment,  "I  never  heard  such  a  doctrine  as  that." 

"Let  me  ask,  have  you  ever  read  the  Bible  to  any  great 
extent?" 

"Yes,  I  have  always  been  a  lover  of  the  Divine  record,  and 
have  spent  many  hours  in  its  perusal." 

"I  am  glad  to  hear  this,  and  I  think,  as  we  proceed,  you 
may  change  your  mind  regarding  never  having  heard  such  a 
doctrine  as  pre-existence.  You  will  perhaps  admit  that  while 


78  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

reading,  you  failed  to  understand  fully  what  you  read.  As  an 
introduction  to  this  grand  and  glorious  principle,  let  me  read 
a  beautiful  poem  I  have  here  from  the  pen  of  one  of  the  gifted 
women  of  Utah;  she  is  dead  now,  and  the  intelligent  spirit, 
sent  from  God  to  dwell  in  her  earthly  tabernacle,  has  been 
recalled  by  the  Being  who  sent  it,  or,  as  the  Bible  declares, 
'has  returned  to  God  who  gave  it.'  Her  name  was  Eliza  R. 
Snow  Smith;  her  name  and  poem  will  live  while  time  endures:" 

"O  my  Father,  thou  that  dwellest 

In  the  high  and  glorious  place! 
When  shall  I  regain  thy  presence, 

And  again  behold  thy  face? 
In  thy  holy  habitation, 

Did  my  spirit  once  reside? 
In  my  first,  primeval  childhood, 

Was  I  nurtured  near  thy  side? 

"For  a  wise  and  glorious  purpose 

Thou  hast  placed  me  here  on  earth, 
And  withheld  the  recollection 

Of  my  former  friends  and  birth; 
Yet  oft-times  a  secret  something 

Whispered,  You're  a  stranger  here, 
And  I  felt  that  I  had  wandered 

From  a  more  exalted  sphere. 

"I  had  learned  to  call  thee  Father, 

Through  Thy  Spirit  from  on  high; 
But,  until  the  Key  of  Knowledge 

Was  restored,  I  knew  not  why. 
In  the  heavens  are  parents  single? 

No;  the  thought  makes  reason  stare! 
Truth  is  reason;  truth  eternal 

Tells  me,  I've  a  mother  there. 

"When  I  leave  this  frail  existenca, 

When  I  lay  this  mortal  by, 
Father,  mother,  may  I  meet  you 

In  your  royal  courts  on  high? 
Then,  at  length,  when  I've  completed 

All  you  sent  me  forth  to  do, 
With  your  mutual  approbation 

Let  me  come  and  dwell  with  you." 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  79 

"This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  compositions  I  have  ever 
listened  to,  Mr.  Durant.  The  words  appear  to  carry  a  strange 
conviction  with  them.  Can  it  be  true?  and  if  so,  are  we  here  as 
school  children,  sent  by  exalted  parents,  to  become  acquainted 
with  sorrow  in  order  to  understand  happiness?" 

"Either  this  is  the  cause,  or  else  our  faith  in  a  hereafter  is  a 
myth.  You  prove  to  me  that  our  birth  is  the  commencement  of 
the  intelligence  of  man,  and  you  also  convince  me  that  death  is 
its  end.  But  we  have  enough  given  in  the  scriptures  to  convince 
us  that  birth  is  not  the  beginning,  and  likewise  that  death  is 
not  the  end.  Christ  said  He  came  forth  from  the  Father  (John 
xvi:28),  and  it  was  His  prayer  that  the  glory  which  He  had 
before  coming  would  be  His  when  he  returned.  (John  xvii:  5.) 
In  His  teachings  to  His  Apostles  He  must  have  familiarized 
them  with  this  exalted  principle  of  pre-existence,  for  upon  one 
occasion  they  came  to  Him  with  a  question,  concerning  a  blind 
man:  'Who  did  sin,  this  man  or  his  parents,  that  he  was  born 
blind?'  (John  ix:2.)  Surely  had  this  been  a  foolish  question, 
Christ  would  have  corrected  them,  but  He  answered  them  in  a 
manner  leading  us  to  understand  that  it  was  a  principle  firmly 
believed  in  by  them  all;  and  comprehending  this,  as  certainly  as 
they  did,  they,  more  than  our  generation,  could  intelligently 
lisp  the  prayer  taught  them  by  the  Master:  'Our  Father  which 
art  in  heaven.'  Our  Divine  record  says  that  God  is  the  Father 
of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh  (Num.  xvi:22),  in  whose  hand  is  the 
soul  of  every  living  thing  (Job  xii:10);  and  we  find  in  it  that 
when  death  comes,  the  spirit  of  man  will  return  to  God  who 
gave  it.  (Eccl.  xii:7.)  Job  was  asked  by  the  Lord  where  he  was 
when  the  foundation  of  the  earth  was  laid  (Job  xxxviii:3-7), 
and  the  Almighty  declared  He  not  only  knew  but  ordained 
Jeremiah  to  be  a  prophet  before  His  earthly  birth.  (Jer.  i:5.) 
From  these  passages,  and  many  others  that  might  be  cited,  it 
should  be  very  easy  for  Christians  to  understand  that  there  is 
a  natural  and  a  spiritual  body."  (I.  Cor.  xv:44.) 

"Mr.  Durant,"  said  Sutherland,  "whether  this  principle  is 
true  or  otherwise,  it  cannot  be  gainsaid  that  you  have  scriptures 
to  support  it." 

"Why  should  we  not  have,  Mr.  Sutherland?  It  is  truth,  and 
it  is  only  natural  that  the  truth  should  appear  reasonable.  As 
quoted,  God  asks  Job:  "Who  laid  the  corner  stone  of  this 
earth,  when  the  morning  stars  sang  together  and  all  the  sons 


80  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

of  God  shouted  for  joy?"  (Job  xxxviii:7.)  Now  I  sincerely 
believe  that  we  were  there,  that  we  helped  to  compose  that 
large  congregation  of  sons  of  God,  and  that  we  did  shout  for 
joy  at  beholding  the  time  approaching  when  we  also  would 
have  the  privilege  of  visiting  an  earth  where  our  Father  would 
give  us  an  opportunity  to  become  possessed  of  bodies  which 
should  eventually  be  eternal  abiding  places  for  our  spirits; 
that  when  we  came  to  this  school  we  should  have  our  judgments 
taken  away,  or,  in  other  words,  that  all  recollection  of  our 
former  existence  should  be  withdrawn,  in  order  that  we  might 
be  able  to  use  the  greatest  gift  of  all,  which  is  'free  agency,' 
to  do  good  or  evil  and  become  to  a  certain  extent  gods  in  em 
bryo,  and  then  when  we  returned  home  from  this  school  our 
Father  could  reward  us,  his  children,  according  to  our  works." 

"Your  explanation  carries  with  it  conviction.  I  have  been 
very  much  interested  and  desire  to  talk  further  with  you  on  this 
subject,  but  fear  I  am  doing  you  an  injustice  by  requiring  you  to 
speak  so  much.  I  must  not  forget  that  the  neighbors  are  coming 
in  tonight,  and  I  should  therefore  not  weary  you." 

"You  need  not  fear,  I  assure  you:  I  have  been  talking  now 
upon  these  principles  for  two  years;  it  is  my  mission,  and  I  am 
well  pleased  to  find  people  who  are  willing  to  hear." 

"I  am  very  anxious  to  listen,  I  can  assure  you,"  replied 
Mr.  Sutherland.  Let  us  walk  through  the  village,  you  can  view 
our  improvements,  and  perhaps  shake  hands  with  many  whom 
you  met  when  here  before;  we  might  then  return  in  time  for 
supper,  and  rest  awhile  before  our  evening  chat." 

This  proposition  was  agreed  to,  and,  taking  their  hats,  the 
two  men  went  out.  The  first  person  met  on  the  ramble  was  our 
medical  friend,  who,  learning  of  Mr.  Durant's  intended  return, 
was  hastening  to  the  Marshall  residence  to  welcome  him.  The 
greeting  which  the  young  missionary  received  from  his  true 
and  lasting  friend  was  unaffected  and  sincere,  meaning  more 
than  language  can  express.  Questions  and  answers  regarding 
the  missionary's  trip,  and  matters,  which  to  the  general  reader 
would  amount  to  mere  common-place,  were  exchanged  during 
the  conversation,  and  must  have  been  interesting  to  them,  for 
it  was  continued  during  the  whole  of  what  proved  a  very  long 
walk. 

"I  begin  to  feel  like  a  resident  here,"  said  the  Elder, 
"though,  perhaps,  I  ought  to  say  that  my  acquaintance  is  not 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  81 

the  only  cause  for  that  feeling,  for  I  try  to  be  at  ease  wherever  I 
go." 

"And  succeed,  I  should  say,  if  your  experience  elsewhere  has 
been  anything  like  that  at  Westminster." 

"Yes,  indeed,  and  in  so  doing  I  find  no  little  comfort  in  the 
words  of  an  eminent  man  who  is  classed  as  a  'pagan,'  an  agnos 
tic,  and  so  on,  but  who,  I  verily  believe,  was  as  much  a  Christian 
at  heart  as  most  of  us — certainly  much  more  so  than  many  who 
engage  in  the  promulgation  of  Christianity  as  a  profession: 
'The  world  is  my  home,  and  humanity  my  kindred.'  ' 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  the  home  of  Mr.  Marshall, 
and  after  supper  preparations  were  made  for  the  evening 
gathering. 


CHAPTER  XI.    . 
A  Pleasant   Interview. 

In  the  evening  Elder  Durant  not  only  had  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  all  his  old  friends  of  the  previous  visit,  but  was  honored 
with  the  presence  of  a  large  number  of  persons  whom  he  had 
not  seen  before.  Some  of  them  had  attended  the  meeting  he 
held  in  the  Town  Hall  on  his  first  visit,  while  others  had  only 
heard  of  him  through  the  Marshalls. 

When  all  were  comfortably  seated  in  the  large  dining  room, 
Mr.  Sutherland  by  way  of  introducing  the  missionary  to  his 
new  friends,  said: 

"My  friends  and  neighbors,  we  have  assembled  here  this 
evening  for  the  purpose  of  listening  to  Mr.  Durant  on  the 
religious  faith  of  a  people  who  claim  to  have  the  keys  of  a  new 
dispensation  committed  to  them.  If  their  claim  is  correct, 
then  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  whole  human  race. 
If  God  has  indeed  spoken  from  the  heavens,  it  is  the  duty  of 
His  children  to  listen;  on  the  other  hand,  if  this  claim  of  the 
Mormons  be  founded  on  a  myth,  then  it  is  our  duty  to  do  all 
in  our  power  to  disprove  their  declarations,  and  deny  that  they 
have  any  divine  commission  whatever  to  proclaim  the  principles 
of  salvation.  You  who  have  the  privilege  of  listening  to  him 
will  know  whether  his  arguments  are  sound  and  scriptural, 
or  otherwise ;  and  can  therefore  exercise  the  right,  which  you  all 
have,  of  judging  for  yourselves.  We  will,  therefore,  ask  our 


82  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

friend  from  the  valleys  of  the  West  to  give  us,  in  as  few  words  as 
possible,  an  outline  of  what  Mormonism  teaches,  after  which  all 
may  act  with  the  utmost  freedom  in  asking  questions  upon  any 
thing  the  gentleman  may  say,  or  upon  any  principle  believed 
in  by  his  people.  Now,  Mr.  Durant,  we  are  anxious  to  hear  you, 
and  you  will  find  us  attentive  listeners." 

The  Elder  arose  and  in  a  few  well-chosen  words  expressed 
his  thanks  to  the  Marshalls  for  their  kindness,  as  well  as  to  Mr. 
Sutherland  and  all  his  friends  who  had  taken  an  interest  in 
him.  He  was  pleased  to  answer  questions  pertaining  to  his 
faith,  and  with  all  sincerity  bore  testimony  that  the  Mormons 
were  less  understood  by  the  people  of  this  and  other  nations 
than  any  other  sect  in  Christendom.  Their  mission  is  one  of 
*  'peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  men,"  notwithstanding  they 
had  been  represented  as  having  objects  quite  the  reverse. 

Their  faith  teadhes  the  reason  why  man  is  here  in  this 
probation;  whence  man  came,  and  whither  he  goes,  after  his 
departure  by  death.  It  teaches  that  the  destiny  of  man  is 
mighty;  that  his  exaltation  is  to  be  great;  that  what  man 
is,  God  once  was;  that  what  God  is,  man  can  be. 

"Mormonism  teaches  men  to  believe  in  God  the  Eternal 
Father,  and  in  His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  who 
bears  record  of  them  forever. 

"As  a  people,  we  believe  that  all  mankind,  through  the 
transgression  of  our  first  parents,  were  brought  under  the  curse 
and  penalty  for  transgression;  but  that  through  the  atoning 
sacrifice,  sufferings,  and  death  of  Jesus  Christ,  all  are  to  be 
redeemed  from  any  effects  of  original  transgression;  that, 
'as  by  the  offense  of  one,  judgment  came  upon  all  men  unto 
condemnation;  even  so,  by  the  righteousness  of  one,  the  free 
gift  came  upon  all  men  unto  justification  of  life.'  (Rom.  v:18.) 

"We  believe  that  little  children  are  innocent,  and  not  under 
transgression;  that  they  are  incapable  of  obeying  any  law,  not 
understanding  good  or  evil:  and  Jesus  says,  "Of  such  are  the 
kingdom  of  heaven;"  but  then,  when  they  arrive  at  the  years  of 
accountability,  and  know  good  from  evil,  and  are  capable  of 
obeying  or  disobeying  law;  if  they  then  transgress,  they  will  be 
condemned  for  breaking  a  known  law. 

"We  believe  that  no  man  will  be  condemned  for  not  obeying 
a  law  that  he  does  not  know;  and  that  consequently  millions  of 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  83 

the  human  family  who  have  never  heard  the  gospel,  are  more 
blessed  than  those  who  have  had  that  privilege,  and  have  refused 
to  accept  it;  that  mankind  will  be  judged  according  to  the 
deeds  done  in  the  body. 

"We  believe  in  the  sufferings,  death  and  atoning  sacrifice 
of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  His  resurrection  and 
ascension  on  high,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  given  to  all 
who  obey  the  gospel. 

"We  believe,  first,  it  is  necessary  to  have  faith  in  God,  and 
that,  next,  it  is  necessary  to  repent  of  our  sins — to  confess  and 
to  turn  away  from  them,  and  make  restitution  to  all  whom  we 
have  injured,  as  far  as  it  is  in  our  power. 

"We  believe  that  the  third  necessity  is  to  be  baptized  by  im 
mersion  in  water,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  'for  remission  of  sins,'  and  that  this  ordinance  must 
be  performed  by  one  having  authority,  or  otherwise  it  is  of  no 
avail. 

"The  fourth  is,  to  receive  the  laying  on  of  hands,  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  this 
ordinance  must  also  be  administered  by  the  Apostles  or  the 
Elders,  whom  the  Lord  Jesus  has  called  to  lay  on  hands;  nor 
then  is  it  of  any  advantage  except  to  those  persons  who  have 
complied  with  the  before  named'three  conditions. 

"We  believe  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  the  same  now,  as  it  was 
in  the  apostolic  days,  and  that  when  a  church  is  organized,  it  is 
its  privilege  to  have  all  the  gifts,  powers  and  blessings  which 
flow  from  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"Such,  for  instance,  as  the  gifts  of  revelation,  prophecy, 
visions,  the  ministry  of  angels,  healing  the  sick  by  the  laying 
on  of  hands  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  the  working  of  miracles,  and, 
in  short,  all  the  gifts  mentioned  in  the  scriptures,  or  enjoyed  by 
the  ancient  Saints.  We  believe  that  inspired  apostles  and 
prophets,  together  with  all  the  officers  as  mentioned  in  the  New 
Testament,  are  necessary  in  the  Church  in  these  days. 

"We  believe  that  there  has  been  a  general  and  awful 
apostasy  from  the  religion  of  the  New  Testament,  so  that  all  the 
known  world  have  been  left  for  centuries  without  the  church 
of  Christ  among  them;  without  a  priesthood  authorized  of  God 
to  administer  ordinances;  that  every  one  of  the  churches  has 
perverted  the  gospel,  some  in  one  way  and  some  in  another. 
For  instance,  almost  every  church  has  ignored  the  doctrine  of 


84  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

immersion  for  the  'remission  of  sins/  Those  few  who  have  prac 
ticed  it  have  abolished  the  ordinance  of  the  'laying  on  of  hands' 
upon  baptized  believers  for  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Again, 
the  few  who  have  practiced  the  last  ordinance  have  perverted 
the  first,  or  have  denied  the  ancient  gifts,  powers  and  blessings 
which  flow  from  the  Holy  Spirit,  or  have  said  to  the  inspired 
apostles  and  prophets  'we  have  no  need  of  you  in  the  body.' 
Those  few  again  who  have  believed  in,  and  contended  for,  the 
miraculous  gifts  and  powers  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  have  perverted 
the  ordinance.  Thus  all  the  churches  preach  false  doctrines 
and  distort  the  gospel,  and  instead  of  having  authority  from  God 
for  corrupting  it,  Paul  says  (Gal.  1:8),  'Though  we  or  an  angel 
from  heaven  preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  which 
we  have  preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed.' 

"We  believe  that  there  are  a  few  sincere,  honest  and  humble 
persons  who  are  striving  to  do  according  to  the  best  of  their 
understanding,  but,  in  many  respects,  they  err  in.  doctrine 
because  of  false  teachers  and  the  precepts  of  men,  and  that  they 
will  receive  the  fullness  of  the  gospel  with  gladness  as  soon  as 
they  hear  it. 

"We  believe  in  the  Bible,  Book  of  Mormon,  and  in  living 
and  continued  revelation;  but  we  also  believe  that  no  new  reve 
lation  will  contradict  the  old. 

"The  gospel  in  the  Book  of  Mormon  is  the  same  as  that  in 
the  New  Testament,  so  that  no  one  who  reads  it  can  misunder 
stand  its  principles.  It  has  been  revealed  by  an  angel  to  be 
preached  as  a  witness  to  all  nations,  first  to  the  Gentiles  and 
then  to  the  Jews,  then  cometh  the  downfall  of  Babylon.  Thus 
fulfilling  the  vision  of  John,  which  he  beheld  on  the  Isle  of 
Patmos:  (Rev.  xiv:6,  7,  8),  'And  I  saw  another  angel  fly  in  the 
midst  of  heaven,  having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach  unto 
them  that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation,  and  kindred, 
and  tongue,  and  people,  saying  with  a  loud  voice,  Fear  God  and 
give  glory  to  Him,  for  the  hour  of  His  judgment  is  come; 
and  worship  Him  that  made  heaven  and  earth,  and  the 
sea,  and  the  fountains  of  waters.'  And  there  followed  another 
angel  saying,  'Babylon  is  fallen,  is  fallen,  that  great  city,  because 
she  made  all  nations  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  her 
fornication.' 

"Many  revelations  and  prophecies  have  been  given  to  this 
Church  since  its  rise,  which  have  been  printed  and  set  forth  to 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  85 

the  world.  These  also  contain  the  gospel  in  great  plainness,  and 
instructions  of  infinite  importance  to  the  Saints.  They  also  un 
fold  the  great  events  that  await  this  generation,  the  terrible 
judgments  to  be  poured  forth  upon  the  wicked,  and  the  bless 
ings  and  glories  to  be  given  to  the  righteous.  We  believe  God  will 
continue  to  give  revelations  by  visions,  by  the  ministry  of 
angels,  and  by  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  until  the 
Saints  are  guided  into  all  truth. 

"We  believe  that  wherever  the  people  enjoy  the  religion  of 
the  New  Testament,  there  they  enjoy  visions,  revelations,  the 
ministry  of  angels,  etc.  And  that  wherever  these  blessings  cease 
to  be  enjoyed,  there  they  also  cease  to  enjoy  the  religion  of  the 
New  Testament. 

"We  believe  that  God  has  established  His  church  in  order 
to  prepare  a  people  for  His  second  coming  in  the  clouds  of 
heaven,  in  power  and  great  glory;  and  that  then  the  Saints 
that  are  asleep  in  their  graves  will  be  raised  and  reign  with 
Him  on  earth  a  thousand  years. 

"We  believe  that  great  judgments  await  the  earth  on 
account  of  the  wickedness  of  its  inhabitants,  and  that  when  the 
gospel  shall  have  been  sufficiently  proclaimed,  if  they  reject  it 
they  will  be  destroyed;  that  plagues,  pestilence  and  famine  will 
be  multiplied  upon  them;  that  thrones  will  be  cast  down, 
empires  overthrown,  and  nations  destroyed;  that  when  the 
Spirit  of  God  ceases  to  restrain  the  people,  the  world  will  be 
full  of  blood,  carnage  and  desolation;  that  peace  will  be  taken 
from  the  earth  and  from  among  the  people,  religious  and  irreli 
gious.  It  shall  be  as  with  the  people,  so  with  the  priests,  etc. 

"We  believe  that  the  Lord  will  gather  His  people  from 
among  all  nations  unto  a  land  of  peace,  and  give  them  pastors 
after  His  own  heart,  who  shall  feed  them  with  knowledge  and 
understanding,  and  they  shall  be  the  only  people  upon  the 
earth  that  shall  not  be  at  war  with  one  another. 

"We  believe  that  the  Ten  Tribes  of  Israel,  with  the  dis 
persed  of  Judah,  shall  soon  be  restored  to  their  own  lands, 
according  to  the  covenants  which  God  made  with  their  ancient 
fathers,  and  that  when  this  great  work  of  restitution  shall  take 
place,  the  power  of  God  shall  be  made  manifest  in  signs,  and 
wonders,  and  mighty  deeds,  far  exceeding  anything  that  took 
place  in  the  exodus  from  Egypt.  Jerusalem  will  be  rebuilt, 
together  with  the  glorious  temple,  and  the  Lord  shall  visit  His 


86  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

Saints  in  Zion.  In  that  day  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  become 
great  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth  and  all  nations  shall  serve  and 
obey  Him,  for  the  wicked  shall  have  perished  out  of  the  earth. 

"We  believe  in  all  principles  of  truth  that  have  been 
revealed;  in  all  that  are  now  being  revealed,  and  are  prepared 
to  receive  all  that  God  will  reveal. 

"We  believe  that  the  gospel  now  being  preached  by  the 
Latter-day  Saints  is  to  call  the  honest  in  heart  out  of  Babylon, 
that  they  partake  not  of  her  sins  nor  receive  of  her  plagues. 

"We  believe  in  morality,  chastity,  purity,  virtue  and 
honesty,  and  wish  to  promote  the  happiness  of  our  fellow-men." 

The  Elder's  words  were  listened  to  with  marked  attention. 
He  expressed  a  willingness  to  answer  questions,  and  a  desire  to 
have  as  many  asked,  concerning  the  religious  principles  believed 
in  by  his  people  as  the  listeners  were  pleased  to  propound. 

"Mr.  Durant,"  said  Sutherland,  when  the  former  was 
seated,  "I  have  not  only  listened  to  all  you  have  said  with  the 
greatest  interest,  but  have  taken  pleasure  in  reading  the  tracts 
left  while  on  your  former  visit,  and  whether  your  faith  is  correct 
or  otherwise,  it  will  be  a  difficult  task  to  disprove  any  of  your 
arguments  by  the  Sacred  record.  I  wish  to  ask  you  a  few 
questions  regarding  some  of  the  principles  you  have  not  touched 
upon,  and  which  I  understand  to  be  a  part  of  your  faith.  I  am 
informed  that  you  believe  in  a  literal  resurrection  of  the  body. 
Is  this  correct?" 

"Certainly,"  answered  the  Elder  promptly.  "How  could  we 
lay  any  claim  whatever  to  a  Christian  belief  in  the  resurrection 
unless  we  believed  in  a  literal  resurrection?" 

"Well,  you  certainly  would  not  be  compelled  to  believe  in  a 
literal  resurrection  in  order  to  lay  claim  to  having  a  Christian 
belief  in  that  principle,  for  all  Christians  are  surely  not  believers 
in  it." 

"All  true  Christians  must  follow  Christ's  teachings  regard 
ing  this  principle  as  well  as  all  others,  or  else  how  can  they  be 
considered  true  Christians?  Christ  is  the  resurrection  and  the 
life.  (John  xi:25. )  He  was  also  the  first  fruits  of  the  resurrection. 
(Acts  xxvi:23. )  He,  therefore,  is  our  great  pattern.  We  know  He 
was  put  to  death  (Matt.  xxvii:50) ;  that  His  body  was  laid  in  the 
tomb  (Matt.  xxvii:60);  that  when  His  friends  visited  that 
tomb  the  body  was  gone;  that  an  angel  declared  that  the  body 
had  been  resurrected  (Matt.  xxviii:6);  that  He  appeared  to 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  87 

His  apostles  with  the  body  which  had  been  crucified  even  bear 
ing  the  prints  of  the  cruel  nails  in  His  hands,  and  the  marks  of 
the  spear  in  His  side,  and  to  satisfy  Thomas,  He  asked  to  be 
handled  that  no  mistake  be  made  regarding  its  being  a  literal 
resurrection  of  the  same  body  He  had  before  the  crucifixion. 
(John  xx:27,  28.)  This  was  the  resurrection  of  our  Master  and 
inasmuch  as  He  has  commanded  us  to  follow  Him,  why  should 
ours  not  be  the  same?" 

"But  you  will  admit  that  if  Christianity  is  true  and  Christ  is 
really  the  Savior,  there  is  a  great  difference  between  His  resur 
rection  and  that  of  those  who  have  died  since.  His  body  had 
only  just  been  interred;  there  had  not  been  sufficient  time  for  it 
to  decay  in  the  grave,  and  He  was  God  Himself,  while  the  bodies 
of  others  decay,  and  are  scattered,  in  some  cases  at  least,  to  the 
four  winds,"  answered  Brown. 

"How  about  the  statement  regarding  the  resurrection  of 
others,  who,  the  scriptures  declare,  came  forth  from  their  graves 
at  the  time  of  Christ's  resurrection?  (Matt.  xxvii:52.)  They 
certainly  must  have  slumbered  for  a  long  time." 

"I  cannot  understand,"  said  Brown,  "how  it  could  be 
possible  for  a  literal  resurrection  of  the  body  to  occur  after 
decay  had  taken  place,  and  the  body  had  returned  to  dust  to 
the  earth." 

"Mr.  Brown,"  the  Elder  said,  "you  will  candidly  admit  that 
there  are  many  things  now  accepted  as  truths  which  at  one 
time  seemed  to  you  incomprehensible." 

"No  doubt,   I  do,"  answered  Brown. 

"Yes,  you  do,  most  decidedly.  For  instance,  when  you  first 
learned  the  wonders  of  the  telephone,  you  could  scarcely  credit 
them;  when  you  were  informed  that  you  could  converse  with  a 
friend  who  stood  miles  away,  you  not  only  doubted,  but  per 
haps  disbelieved,  yet  you  doubt  no  longer,  for  your  eyes  have 
seen,  and  your  ears  have  heard.  Is  not  this  true?" 

"It  is;  what  the  eye  has  seen  or  the  ear  has  heard,  one  must 
certainly  believe.  But  is  not  that  a  vastly  different  proposi 
tion?" 

"Not  at  all;  you  are  only  less  familiar  with  the  methods  or 
principles  upon  which  the  resurrection  depends,  that  is  all. 
When  we  have  more  of  the  intelligence  of  heaven,  and  can 
understand  more  regarding  the  great  principles  by  which  the 
resurrection  is  brought  about,  it  will  appear  simple  enough.  God 


88  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

permits  a  ray  of  intelligence  to  come  from  heaven;  it  reaches  the 
mind  of  man,  it  gives  us  knowledge  of  the  telegraph,  by  which 
our  messages  flash  from  nation  to  nation,  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye,  and  opens  to  our  understanding  many  other  wonders  of 
modern  science.  We  may  not  understand  fully  how  it  is  done, 
but  we  know  it  is  accomplished,  and  we  therefore  believe  what 
we  once  disbelieved. 

"Another  ray  reaches  us,  and  we  have  an  understanding  of 
the  telephone,  the  phonograph,  the  electric  cars;  and  through 
the  effects  of  these  discoveries,  we  open  our  eyes  in  wonder 
ment!  Yet  these  flashes  of  intelligence  are  nothing  compared 
with  the  mighty  fire  of  wisdom  in  the  heavens  from  whence 
these  originate.  They  may  be  new  to  us,  but  are  thoroughly 
understood  by  Him  who  sent  them.  They  are  all  gifts  from  the 
Father  of  our  spirits,  and  only  small  gifts  at  that,  compared 
with  what  He  has  in  store  for  us." 

"How  can  you  imagine  for  an  instant,"  exclaimed  Mr. 
Sutherland,  "that  it  can  be  possible  for  all  the  particles  of  GUI 
bodies  to  be  gathered  together  again  after  they  have  been 
scattered?" 

"I  do  not,  and  cannot  pretend  to,  answer  this  question.  It 
will  require  more  intelligence  than  I  have,  to  answer  it.  But 
this  I  firmly  believe;  that  no  particle,  that  is,  none  of  the 
component  parts,  of  my  body  will  ever  go  to  make  up  the  body 
of  anything  else,  and  that  it  matters  not  whether  my  body  be 
burned  or  permitted  to  decay  and  return  to  mother  earth, 
every  particle  will  be  collected  and  brought  together  again, 
at  the  time  of  the  resurrection,  which  will  be  literal  in  every 
sense  of  the  word.  Let  me  relate  a  little  anecdote  which  illus 
trates  my  position. 

"A  person  had  received,  as  a  birthday  gift,  a  beautiful 
silver  cup  from  a  friend.  This  cup  was  prized  very  much,  and  not 
only  on  account  of  its  beauty,  but  because  of  the  love  the  re 
ceiver  had  for  the  giver.  In  a  short  time  the  one  making  this 
present  was  called  away;  the  cold  hand  of  death  was  laid  upon 
him. 

"Then  the  cup  increased  a  hundred  fold  in  value  to  the 
owner,  and  nothing  could  influence  him  to  part  with  it.  Years 
afterwards,  the  owner  of  the  present  carried  it  to  the  place  where 
he  was  employed,  for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting  it  to  a  fellow 
workman.  During  the  day,  in  passing  the  shelf  where  it  rested 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  89 

while  he  was  engaged  in  moving  some  valuable  goods,  he 
carelessly  knocked  the  cup  from  the  shelf,  and  it  fell  into  a 
vessel  of  fluid.  Thinking  at  the  moment  that  the  vessel  con 
tained  nothing  but  water,  the  owner  waited  until  his  arms  were 
released  from  the  valuable  load  they  contained,  before  seeking 
to  remove  the  cup  from  the  place  into  which  it  had  fallen. 
When  he  returned,  he  found,  to  his  sorrow,  that  his  cup  had 
disappeared.  Upon  investigation,  imagine  his  grief,  when  he 
discovered  that  the  vessel  contained  nitric  acid  instead  of 
water,  and  that  the  cup  had  been  eaten  up  by  the  fluid.  He 
thought  of  how  he  had  valued  that  keepsake,  how  much  he 
revered  the  memory  of  the  giver,  and  how  foolish  he  was  to 
bring  the  prize  from  his  home  that  morning.  At  this  moment, 
his  employer  happened  along,  and  noticing  his  distress  enquired 
for  the  cause.  After  listening  to  the  poor  man's  story,  and  learn 
ing  that  the  cup  was  made  in  a  neighboring  town,  he  rather 
startled  the  sorrowing  man  with  this  remark:  'Don't  feel  bad, 
my  man,  I  promise  you  shall  again  have  your  cup.' 

"The  workingman  thinking  his  words  meant  that  he 
should  receive  the  amount  of  its  real  value,  or  another  cup, 
explained  that  it  was  not  its  cost,  neither  would  another  cup 
fill  its  place.  It  was  the  loss  of  this  particular  article,  which 
came  from  the  hands  of  a  friend  who  had  since  died,  that 
caused  him  grief. 

"  'Never  mind,  I  say,  whether  you  believe  my  words  or  not, 
I  promise,  and  will  make  good  that  promise,  that  you  shall 
again  have  your  cup,  and  it  shall  be  made  of  the  same  identical 
silver,  having  the  same  form,  and  being  composed  of  nothing 
but  the  same  metal.  It  don't  mean  the  same  kind,  but  the  very 
same  silver  that  you  dropped  into  that  fluid.' 

"And  with  this  he  took  a  few  handfuls  of  common  salt, 
flung  them  into  the  liquid,  and  there  formed  in  the  solution  a 
white  solid;  this  he  removed,  dried  and  heated  in  a  crucible, 
and  the  result  was  a  lump  of  silver  of  the  highest  lustre. 

"  'Now,  you  see,'  said  the  kind-hearted  man,  'how  easy  it 
is  to  restore  when  you  understand  the  method  by  which  it  is 
done.  All  the  silver  composing  that  cup  of  yours  is  now  in  my 
hands.  How  easy  it  is  for  me  to  have  it  remoulded  in  the 
same  mould!  and  who  will  say  you  have  not  the  same  cup 
resurrected  from  the  grave?' 

"Can  you  not  understand,"  said  Durant,  "that  this  laborer 


90  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

was  in  the  same  condition  as  the  poor  mortals  who  are  in  pain 
ful  ignorance  of  the  way  and  means  by  which  the  resurrection 
will  take  place?  And  yet  how  simple  when  once  understood. 
The  cup  had  been  buried  in  the  world  of  liquid,  it  had  dissolved 
and  had  been  scattered  throughout  the  earth  in  which  it  was 
buried,  and  to  a  person  unacquainted  with  the  laws  governing 
such  things,  was  lost  forever.  If  man,  who  is  as  a  babe  com 
pared  with  God  in  intelligence,  could  resurrect  a  cup  from  that 
little  world,  do  you  not  think  it  possible  for  God,  who  is  the 
fountain-head  of  intelligence  and  power,  to  restore  your  body 
after  it  has  been  scattered  throughout  this  little  world  of  ours? 
And  as  the  restoring  of  that  cup  appeared  very  simple  to  that 
laboring  man,  so  I  believe  the  resurrection  of  the  body  will 
appear  very  simple  to  us  when  we  are  on  the  other  side,  and 
fully  understand  the  laws,  methods  and  powers  which  govern 
the  restoration." 

At  this  moment  a  Mr.  Williams,  who  had  been  a  very  atten 
tive  listener  during  the  entire  evening,  arose  and  said:  "Mr. 
Durant,  to  all  appearance  you  have  proved  every  argument 
made  with  some  quotation  from  the  Bible;  your  mode  of  reason 
ing  appears  very  logical,  but  I  have  here  a  passage  which  seems 
to  conflict  with  the  argument  that  baptism  is  positively  essential 
to  salvation." 

"If  so,"  answered  the  Elder,  "I  will  be  pleased  to  listen. 
Really  if  you  have  found  an  argument,  from  the  sayings  of 
Christ  or  His  apostles,  which  promises  salvation  without 
baptism,  you  have  certainly  made  a  great  discovery." 

"Well,  I  think  the  discovery  has  been  made,"  answered 
Williams,  "and  it  seems  strange  that  a  gentleman  who  has  made 
the  Bible  as  much  of  a  study  as  you  have,  has  never  been  able 
to  comprehend  it." 

"Thanks,  but  now  for  the  argument;  do  not  build  your 
hopes  too  high,  perhaps  you  misunderstand  your  own  reading  of 
the  Sacred  record." 

"Well,  that  remains  to  be  seen.  You  have  disclaimed  all 
belief  in  death-bed  repentance  bringing  salvation,  and  you  are, 
as  well,  a  disbeliever  in  salvation  without  baptism.  Now  to  the 
law  and  the  testimony  once  more.  Examine  the  account  of  the 
crucifixion,  as  recorded  in  Luke  23rd  chapter,  beginning  with  the 
39th  verse.  Christ  upon  that  occasion  had  a  malefactor  on 
either  side  of  Him;  one  railed  on  Him,  saying,  'If  thou  be  Christ, 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  91 

save  thyself  and  us,'  while  the  other,  being  filled  with  repent 
ance  and  being  converted,  rebuked  his  companion  in  sinfand 
implored  the  blessed  Redeemer: 'Lord, remember  me  when  thou 
comest  to  thy  kingdom.'  Christ,  witnessing  the  repentance  of 
this  malefactor,  even  at  the  last  moment  of  his  life,  presented 
him  with  the  gift  of  salvation  before  giving  up  the  ghost: 
'Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  today  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  paradise.' 
These  were  the  words  used  by  the  Captain  of  our  salvation; 
the  promise  was  granted  without  baptism,  and  he  was  carried 
to  heaven  with  our  Savior;  and  yet  in  the  very  face  of  this 
testimony  you  proclaim  the  doctrine  that  without  baptism 
salvation  cannot  be  obtained." 

"Christ  did  not  offer  that  malefactor  salvation  on  that  occa 
sion,  neither  was  he  carried  to  heaven  with  the  Redeemer.  I 
desire  to  convince  you,  Mr.  Williams,  if  you  will  accept  the 
statement  in  the  Bible,  and  I  believe  you. will,  that  Christ  did 
not  go  to  His  Father  until  some  time  after  this,  and  that  the 
paradise  referred  to  is  not  the  haven  of  salvation  that  we  all  hope 
to  reach." 

"Mr.  Durant,  if  you  convince  me  of  this,  I  will  have 
nothing  more  to  say,"  replied  Mr.  Williams. 

"Very  well,  then,  pay  strict  attention  to  the  words  you  have 
just  quoted  which  contain  the  promise  that  in  your  opinion 
insures  the  penitent  malefactor  entrance  to  the  presence  of  the 
Father:  'Today  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  paradise.'  Three  days 
after  these  words  were  spoken,  we  discover  Mary  weeping  as  she 
bowed  down  at  the  sepulcher  where  Christ's  remains  had  been 
deposited,  and  upon  recognizing  her  Lord,  who  stood  by  her 
side  and  addressed  her,  she  received  His  command,  'Touch  me 
not,  for  I  am  not  yet  ascended  to  my  Father.'  Rather  a  strange 
and  startling  declaration  for  the  Savior  to  make,  was  it  not, 
when  the  promise  to  the  thief,  made  three  days  previously,  was 
to  the  effect  that  upon  that  day  they  should  both  be  in  His 
presence?" 

"Why,  Mr.  Durant,"  exclaimed  Claire,  "I  can't  understand 
it  at  all;  He  did  certainly  make  the  promise,  and  yet  from  His 
words,  spoken  three  days  after,  it  appears  that  He  had  not  yet 
been  to  His  Father.  Can  it  be  that  one  of  our  Savior's  promises 
has  really  fallen  to  the  ground  unfulfilled?" 

"Not  in  the  least,  Mrs.  Sutherland;  it  is  merely  another  one 
of  those  cases  where  we  read  but  fail  to  understand.  'The 


92  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

letter  killeth  but  the  Spirit  giveth  life,'  you  know.  Christ  kept 
His  word  with  the  malefactor,  and  He  also  spoke  truthfully  to 
Mary.  He  and  the  sinner  undoubtedly  went  on  the  day  men 
tioned  to  paradise,  but  the  great  mistake,  made  by  many  lies 
in  believing  that  paradise  is  heaven." 

"Well,  if  paradise  is  not  heaven,  what  is  it?  If  they  went  to 
some  other  place,  where  is  that  place?"  exclaimed  Mr.  Williams. 
"I  believe  it  was  heaven." 

"I  do  not  doubt  your  statement  for  a  moment.  Prof.  A. 
Hinderkoper,  a  German  writer,  says:  'In  the  second  and  third 
centuries  every  branch  and  division  of  the  Christian  church,  so 
far  as  their  records  enable  us  to  judge,  believe  that  Christ 
preached  to  the  departed  spirits.'  This  is  in  harmony  with  the 
belief  of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  as  well  as  in  harmony  with  the 
Bible.  Peter  speaking  upon  this  su'bject  answers  your  question 
by  saying:  'For  Christ  also  hath  once  suffered  for  sins, 
the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  He  might  bring  us  to  God,  being 
put  to  death  in  the  flesh,  but  quickened  by  the  Spirit:  by  which 
also  He  went  and  preached  unto  the  spirits  in  prison;  which 
sometime  were  disobedient,  when  once  the  long  suffering  of 
God  waited  in  the  days  of  Noah,  while  the  ark  was  a  preparing, 
wherein  few,  that  is,  eight  souls  were  saved  by  water.'  Christ 
undoubtedly  understood  that  His  mission  would  not  end  with 
His  crucifixion,  but  as  He  finished  His  mission  to  mortals  by 
opening  to  them  the  gospel  gates,  it  would  be  the  beginning  of 
His  mission,  for  a  similar  purpose,  with  those  on  the  other  side 
of  the  vail,  and  realizing  that  His  mission  there  would  begin 
immediately  upon  His  release  here,  and  that  the  malefactor 
would  meet  Him  there,  He  made  the  promise  mentioned: 
'Today  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  paradise.'  Peter  declares  that 
they  were  visited  and  preached  to  in  order  that  they  might  be 
judged  according  to  men  in  the  flesh,  but  live  according  to  God 
in  the  spirit.  (I  Peter  iv:6.)  Bishop  Alford,  speaking  of  the 
declaration  made  by  the  chief  apostle,  said:  'I  understand  these 
words  (I  Peter  iii:19)  to  say  that  our  Lord  in  His  disembodied 
state,  did  go  to  the  place  of  detention  of  departed  spirits,  and 
did  there  announce  His  work  of  redemption;  preach  salvation, 
in  fact,  to  the  disembodied  spirits  of  those  who  refused  to  obey 
the  voice  of  God  when  the  judgment  of  the  flood  was  hanging 
over  them." 

"That  seems  reasonable,  and  it  has  given  me  a  new  idea  and 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  93 

something  to  consider,"  said  Williams,  "but  how  about  the 
ordinances  you  claim  are  necessary  for  all?  How  can  those  who 
did  not  hear  the  gospel  before  they  died  receive  the  ordinances?" 

"Now  we  believe  that  those  who  embrace  the  gospel  in  the 
spirit  world  will  be  saved;  and  believe  with  the  scriptures  that 
a  vicarious  work  must  be  performed  for  them  by  the  living. 
This  doctrine  was  evidently  understood  by  the  saints  in  the 
days  of  the  apostles.  Paul  informs  us  that  the  first  gospel 
ordinance  of  all  dispensations,  baptism,  was  administered  by 
proxy  among  the  former-day  Saints.  While  teaching  the  Corin 
thian  saints  about  the  resurrection,  (I  Cor.  xv:  29),  he  asked 
them:  'Else  what  shall  they  do  which  are  baptized  for  the  dead, 
if  the  dead  rise  not  at  all?'  in  other  words,  of  what  use  is  baptism 
for  the  dead,  if  there  is  no  resurrection?  showing  that  the  doc 
trine  of  baptism  for  the  dead  was  evidently  neither  new  nor 
strange  to  the  people  to  whom  the  apostle  was  writing.  Christ 
died  for  the  dead  as  well  as  the  living:  'For  to  this  end  Christ 
both  died,  and  rose,  and  revived,  that  He  might  be  Lord 
both  of  the  dead  and  the  living.'  "  (Rom.  xiv:9.) 

"But  do  you  mean  that  living  persons  shall  be  baptized 
for  the  dead?" 

"Certainly.  Before  the  great  day  of  the  Lord  shall  come 
'that  shall  burn  as  an  oven,  and  all  the  proud,  yea,  and 
all  that  do  wickedly,  shall  be  stubble;  and  the  day  that  cometh 
shall  burn  them  up,saiththe  Lord  of  Hosts,  that  it  shall  leave 
them  neither  root  nor  branch'  (Mai.  iv:  1,)  an  important 
event  is  to  take  place,  as  we  learn  from  the  same  prophet, 
verses  5  and  6:  'Behold,  I  will  send  you  Elijah  the  prophet 
before  the  coming  of  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord; 
and  he  shall  turn  the  heart  of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and 
the  heart  of  the  children  to  their  fathers,  lest  I  come  and  smite 
the  earth  with  a  curse.'  The  coming  of  Elijah,  to  inaugurate 
this  great  work,  must  evidently  be  to  some  one  who  is  prepared 
to  receive  him.  His  mission,  'to  turn  the  heart  of  the  fathers 
to  the  children,  and  the  heart  of  the  children  to  their  fathers,' 
is  very  comprehensive,  and  pertains  to  the  whole  family  of 
Adam,  there  being  no  discrimination  between  the  living  and  the 
dead,  between  those  who  have  lived  in  the  past  and  those  who 
shall  live  in  the  future.  There  must  be  a  welding  link  between 
the  fathers  and  their  children,  and  that  welding  link  is  baptism 
for  the  dead.  We  testify  that  Elijah  has  come;  that  he  appeared 


94  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

to  Joseph,  the  Seer,  and  Oliver  Cowdery,  in  the  Kirtland 
Temple,  on  the  3rd  of  April,  1836,  and  said:  'Behold,  the  time 
has  fully  come,  which  was  spoken  of  by  the  mouth  of  Malachi, 
testifying  that  he  (Elijah)  should  be  sent  before  the  great  and 
dreadful  day  of  the  Lord  come,  to  turn  the  hearts  of  the  fathers 
to  the  children,  and  the  children  to  the  fathers,  lest  the  whole 
earth  be  smitten  with  a  curse.  Therefore  the  keys  of  this 
dispensation  are  committed  into  your  hands,  and  by  this  ye  may 
know  that  the  great  and  dreadful  day  of  the  Lord  is  near,  even 
at  the  doors.'  Ordinances  for  the  salvation  of  the  dead  require 
temples,  or  sacred  places,  especially  constructed  for  their 
administration;  for  this  reason,  we  build  temples,  and  also,  that 
we  may  perform  other  ordinances  for  the  dead  and  the  living." 

"I  have  heard  that  the  organization  of  your  Church  is  un 
usually  complete.  How  is  it  organized?"  asked  one  of  the  visitors 
present. 

"It  is  organized  on  the  foundation  of  Apostles  and  Prophets. 
We  have  therefore  various  quorums  of  these  in  the  Church 
organized  by  revelation  for  the  efficient  and  harmonious  per 
formance  of  church  duties.  There  is  the  First  Presidency, 
chosen  from  those  who  hold  the  High  Priesthood  and  Apostle- 
ship  consisting  of  a  President  and  two  counselors.  The  duty  of 
the  President  is  to  preside  over  the  whole  Church,  and  he  is 
sustained  by  the  whole  people  as  a  seer,  a  revelator,  a  translator, 
and  a  prophet." 

"What  is  meant  by  Priesthood?  You  must  have  two 
Priesthoods  then,  as  you  speak  of  the  High  Priesthood,  indicat 
ing  there  must  be  a  lower  one?" 

"The  Church  is  governed  by  the  Holy  Priesthood,  which  is 
divided  into  two  grand  heads — the  Aaronic  or  lesser,  and  the 
Melchizedek  or  higher. 

"The  Melchizedek  Priesthood,  so-called  because  Melchize 
dek  was  such  a  great  High  Priest,  and  also  to  avoid  the  too 
frequent  use  of  Jehovah's  name,  as  this  Priesthood  was  formerly 
called  after  the  order  of  His  Son, — holds  the  right  of  presidency, 
to  receive  revelations  from  heaven  and  to  enjoy  the  spiritual 
blessings;  while  the  Aaronic  Priesthood,  so  called  because  it  was 
conferred  upon  Aaron  and  his  seed  forever,  holds  the  keys  of  the 
ministering  of  angels,  and  to  administer  in  the  outward  ordi 
nances  of  the  Church.  The  offices  of  the  Melchizedek  Priesthood 
include  Apostles,  Seventies,  Patriarchs  or  Evangelists,  and 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  95 

Elders,  and  the  Aaronic  Priesthood  includes  Bishops,  Priests, 
Teachers  and  Deacons. 

"Next  to  the  quorum  of  the  First  Presidency  is  the  Twelve 
Apostles,  then  the  High  Council,  the  Seventies,  the  High 
Priests,  the  Elders,  and  the  quorums  of  the  Lesser  Priesthood. 

"Each  calling  has  its  own  duties  to  be  performed,  and  the 
organization  is  such  that  one  does  not  come  in  conflict  with 
the  other." 

The  company  now  parted  for  the  evening,  each  hoping  that 
an  opportunity  might  be  given  to  hear  the  Elder  again. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
A  Baptism  and  a  Conversation  on  Marriage. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  on  the  evening  of  Mr.  Durant's 
speech  in  the  Town  Hall  at  Westminster,  an  old  lady  came  at 
the  close  of  the  meeting  and  whispered  a  "God  bless  you"  to 
him.  The  truths  uttered  by  him  had  made  a  deep  impression 
upon  her  and  were  working  to  bear  fruit.  She  had  now  made 
application  to  be  baptized,  convinced,  as  she  was,  of  the  truths 
of  the  gospel,  and  that  this  servant  of  God  was  authorized,  by 
direct  calling  from  Him  through  revelation,  to  perform  the 
solemn  ceremony.  It  was  agreed,  therefore,  that  the  baptism 
should  take  place  on  an  afternoon  some  time  before  the  day  of 
his  departure  to  his  home  in  the  West. 

He  made  it  a  point  to  obtain  a  conversation  with  the  lady, 
and  show  to  her  the  importance  of  the  step  she  was  about  to 
take.  It  is  no  simple,  indifferent  affair.  It  is  a  contract  with 
God,  fraught  with  wonderful  results  to  the  person  who  makes  it, 
that  will  either  lead  to  rich  blessings  or  to  condemnation.  When 
one  man  makes  a  contract  with  another,  the  breaker  of  such  a 
contract  must  be  willing  to  suffer  the  ignominy  attending  his 
deceit.  In  baptism,  the  subject  makes  a  solemn  vow  with  his 
Creator,  and,  rising  from  the  wraters  in  which  he  is  buried  in 
the  likeness  of  the  death  of  Christ,  he  should  thenceforth  walk 
in  newness  of  life,  and  should  not  serve  sin.  He  is  made  free  from 
sin,  and  becomes  a  servant  to  God;  he  has  his  fruit  unto  holiness 
and  the  end  is  everlasting  life.  (Romans  vi. ) 

The  earnestness  of  the  new  convert's  faith  and  repentance 


96  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

was  inquired  into,  and  it  was  pointed  out  to  her  that  she  should 
prepare  herself  to  receive  the  testimony  of  the  Spirit,  which  is 
made  known  to  different  individuals  in  different  ways — not 
always  by  unusual  manifestations,  but  frequently  by  the  calm 
self-consciousness  of  peace  that  comes  from  a  performance  of 
righteous  acts,  in  which  the  Spirit  bears  witness  with  our  spirit 
that  we  are  the  children  of  God,  heirs  and  joint  heirs  with 
Christ.  We  must  not  look  for  approval  from  friends,  relatives 
or  people  of  the  world,  in  taking  this  step,  but  be  prepared  to 
suffer  with  Christ  that  we  may  be  also  glorified  with  Him,  and 
exclaim  with  Paul:  "I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present 
time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall 
be  revealed  in  us."  (Rom.  viii:18.)  Like  Christ,  one  must 
bear  the  cross  upon  the  lone  way,  full  of  hope,  confidence  and 
zeal,  knowing  that  the  end  is  everlasting  life. 

Having  said  this  much,  and  given  many  other  incidental  in 
structions,  that  would  thoroughly  impress  the  new  convert  with 
the  sacredness  and  importance  of  the  step  about  to  be  taken, 
Mr.  Durant,  members  of  the  Marshall  family,  and  a  number  of 
strangers,  anxious  to  witness  the  ceremony,  made  their  way,  on  a 
pleasant  afternoon,  to  a  beautiful  wood  where  a  stream  wound 
its  clear,  slow  waters  in  fantastic  forms  to  empty  into  one  of  the 
large  rivers.  The  autumn  tints,  the  sun  casting  its  warm  in 
fluence  to  the  earth  through  the  gray  atmosphere,  the  rustle  of 
the  wind  in  the  falling  leaves,  and  the  beauty  of  nature  all 
around,  made  the  scene  grand  and  romantic.  Some  who  had 
gone  along  to  make  sport  of  the  "Mormon  baptism,"  were  awed 
into  strange  silence  by  the  beauty  of  the  scene,  and  by  the 
solemnity  and  scripture-like  simplicity  of  the  ceremony.  After 
a  word  of  prayer  had  been  offered,  in  which  Mr.  Durant  in 
voked  the  blessings  of  God  upon  the  ordinance  about  to  be 
performed,  and  asked  that  all  disturbing  spirits  might  be  ban 
ished,  he  took  the  lady  by  the  hand  and  waded  with  her  out  into 
the  water,  and,  in  the  stillness  which  followed  (those  upon  the 
shore  unconsciously  remaining  uncovered),  he  was  heard  to 
say,  as  he  held  the  old  lady's  hands  in  his  left,  and  raised  his 
right  hand  into  the  air:  "Julia  Howard,  having  been  commission 
ed  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  baptize  you  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  Amen." 

Then  he  immersed  her  in  the  water,  and  both  came  forth 
again  out  of  the  water. 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  97 

The  company  soon  dispersed,  and  upon  arrival  at  her  home, 
the  new  convert  was  confirmed,  she  preferring  this  to  having 
that  ordinance  performed  upon  the  water's  edge,  which  is 
frequently  done.  Mr.  Durant  placed  his  hands  upon  her  head, . 
and  by  virtue  of  his  calling  and  authority,  confirmed  her  a 
member  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints, 
and,  in  the  manner  of  the  apostles  of  old,  bestowed  upon  her  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  he  promised  should  be  a  light  to 
her  all  her  days. 

The  Elder  was  about  to  leave,  having  welcomed  the  new 
member  and  congratulated  her  upon  the  step  she  had  taken, 
when  he  was  somewhat  surprised  by  a  remark  she  made  in 
which  she  expressed  a  desire  to  gather  with  the  Saints. 

The  spirit  of  gathering  had  already  rested  upon  her,  and  he 
explained  to  her  the  importance  of  this  principle  of  the  gospel. 
The  Father  desires  that  His  children  shall  be  gathered  in  unto 
one  place  where  their  hearts  shall  be  prepared  against  the  day 
when  tribulation  and  desolation  shall  come  upon  the  wicked. 
The  Psalmist  referred  to  this  subject  and  exclaimed:  "Gather 
my  Saints  together  unto  me;  those  that  have  made  a  covenant 
with  me  by  sacrifice."  (Ps.  1:5.)  Isaiah,  looking  to  the  future, 
saw  that  in  the  last  days  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house 
should  be  established  in  the  tops  of  the  mountains,  to  which 
all  nations  should  go.  (Isaiah  ii:2.)  Here  the  Lord  was  to  give 
them  one  heart,  and  make  an  everlasting  covenant  with  them. 
(Jer.  xxxii:37-44.)  And  in  that  day  the  Lord  should  set  His 
hand  again  the  second  time  to  recover  the  remnants  of  His 
people.  (Isaiah  xi:ll-16.)  John,  the  revelator,  saw  this  time, 
and  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying:  "Come  out  of  her, 
[Babylon]  my  people,  that  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her  sins  and 
that  ye  receive  not  of  her  plagues."  (Rev.  xviii:4.)  It  was, 
therefore,  in  strict  accordance  with  the  scriptures  that  she 
should  have  the  desire  to  gather,  as  well  as  that  the  Saints 
should  have  an  assembling  place  where  they  might  learn  to 
walk  in  the  paths  of  God  more  strictly  than  in  the  world.  There 
are  ordinances,  too,  to  be  performed  in  the  holy  temples,  for 
the  living  and  the  dead,  that  cannot  be  done  elsewhere.  It  is 
not  well,  however,  that  this  act  of  gathering  should  be  considered 
thoughtlessly  and  in  haste,  but  rather  with  deliberation  and 
careful  forethought. 

In  the  conversation   Elder   Durant  had  incidentally  re- 


98  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

marked  that  marriage  was  not  only  for  time  but  also  for  all 
eternity.  The  newly  married  couple,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sutherland, 
who  had  remained  to  witness  the  confirmation,  was  naturally 
interested  in  this,  and  the  subject  was  further  inquired  into  by 
them. 

"What  is  the  belief  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  in  relation  to 
marriage?"  said  Mr.  Sutherland. 

"We  believe,"  said  Durant,  "that  marriage  is  ordained  of 
God,  and  is  binding  for  eternity,  when  properly  performed  by 
a  servant  of  God  having  authority." 

"Then  it  would  appear  that  you  believe  in  the  family  rela 
tion  continuing  throughout  eternity?" 

"Certainly,  why  not?  Everything  that  is  done  by  the  Lord 
receives  the  impress  of  eternity.  That  being  the  case,  marriage, 
being  sanctioned  and  ordained  of  Him,  is  also  eternal  if  perform 
ed  by  one  having  power  as  the  ancient  apostles  had,  to  bind 
on  earth  and  it  should  be  bound  in  heaven.  It  then  becomes  a 
work  of  God,  and,  as  the  Preacher  exclaims:  'I  know  that 
whatsoever  God  doeth  it  shall  be  forever;  nothing  can  be  put  to 
it,  nor  anything  taken  from  it.'  (Eccles.  iii:14).  Can  you  think 
of  anything  more  comforting  than  that  the  loving  ties  formed  in 
this  world  are  to  endure  throughout  the  ages  of  eternity?" 

"It  is  certainly  more  pleasant  than  to  dwell  upon  a  union 
that  shall  last  only 'till  death  do  you  part;'  but  what  proof s  have 
you  that  your  view  of  the  matter  is  correct?" 

"In  the  first  marriage  that  was  ever  performed,  when  the 
Creator  joined  together  Adam  and  Eve  as  the  parents  of  the 
human  race,  we  have  no  record  of  its  being  done  to  last  only 
'till  death  do  you  part,'  and  we  do  not  learn  that  He  set  any 
limit  to  the  continuance  of  their  marriage  relations.  Why 
should  we  doubt  that  the  gift  of  Eve  to  Adam  was  designed  to 
be  eternal?  They  were  married  before  the  Fall,  before  death 
came  into  the  world.  They  were  eternal  beings,  not  subject 
to  death;  death  was  not  considered  when  God  gave  her  to  be  his 
companion  and  helpmeet.  Why  then  should  we  conclude  that 
death  should  void  the  contract  or  separate  them  any  more 
than  that  it  should  destroy  the  spirit?  If  their  spirits  could  be 
restored  with  resurrected  bodies,  why  should  not  the  eternal 
work  of  God  in  joining  them  as  one  remain  unbroken?  The  whole 
second  chapter  of  Genesis  breathes  the  spirit  of  everlasting 
union  between  Adam  and  Eve.  In  the  eighteenth  verse  we  are 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  99 

told  by  the  Lord  that,  'it  is  not  good  that  the  man  should  be 
alone.'  Adam,  the  man,  was  created  an  eternal  being,  and  when 
God  said  that  it  was  not  good  for  him  to  be  alone,  we  must  con 
clude  it  was  not  good  that  he  should  be  alone  in  immortality; 
so  the  Lord  gave  him  Eve  for  no  particular  period  of  his  life, 
but  evidently,  as  she  was  also  an  eternal  being,  to  be  his  wife 
forever — the  union  to  last  as  long  as  they  should  last — eter 
nally." 

"That  seems  reasonable,  and  it  is  a  pleasant  hope  you 
have,"  said  Claire. 

"With  us  it  is  more  than  a  hope;  it  is  knowledge.  There  are 
other  passages  of  scripture  which  bear  upon  the  inseparable 
connection  between  man  and  wife,  in  marriage  as  ordained  of 
God.  Paul  (Eph.  v:23)  says:  'The  husband  is  the  head  of  the 
wife  even  as  Christ  is  the  head  of  the  Church.'  Christ  remains 
forever  the  head  of  the  Church,  and  even  so  the  husband  remains 
the  head  of  the  wife  eternally." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  saying  'in  marriage  as  ordained  of 
God?'  Is  not  all  marriage  ordained  of  Him?"  said  Mr.  Suther 
land. 

"By  marriage  as  ordained  of  God,  I  mean  marriage  per 
formed  in  the  way  He  has  appointed,  by  a  man  whom  He  has 
authorized  to  act  in  His  stead.  What  man  does  of  himself, 
without  authority  from  God,  must  be  like  him  limited  to  this 
life.  Now,  like  the  authority  to  baptize,  this  authority  to  marry 
in  the  way  God  has  ordained,  must  come  by  revelation  from 
Him,  for  no  man  can  take  these  honors  to  himself.  To  find  this 
authority,  we  must  look  for  it  among  a  people  who  believe  in 
revelation,  and  not  among  churches  who  declare  that  the 
heavens  are  sealed,  and  that  no  further  revelation  is  necessary." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
About  the  Mormons. 

The  day  upon  which  the  Mormon  Elder  was  to  leave  his 
missionary  field  to  return  to  his  home  in  the  mountains,  was 
rapidly  approaching.  Mr.  Brown,  the  lawyer,  had  become  so 
interested  in  the  missionary  and  his  peculiar  people  that  this 
gentleman  determined  to  accompany  him  to  Utah,  to  see  for 
himself  what  he  had  heard  so  much  concerning. 


100        .  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

On  the  evening  before  their  departure,  all  the  old  friends 
were  gathered  at  the  Marshall  residence,  or  hotel,  and  quite 
naturally  the  conversation  turned  to  the  contemplated  trip  to 
Utah,  and  from  that  to  the  motives  which  led  the  Mormons  to 
settle  in  that  territory. 

"What  were  the  considerations  that  led  to  the  settling  of 
Utah  by  the  Mormons?"  asked  one  of  the  members  of  the  little 
company. 

"Persecutions  by  their  enemies  was  the  primary  cause," 
said  the  Elder.  "After  the  death  of  the  Prophet  Joseph,  they 
were  driven  from  their  homes  in  Nauvoo,  and  hence  sought 
a  new  abiding  place  in  the  West." 

"How  did  the  death  of  Joseph,  the  Prophet,  occur?"  asked 
Mr.  Brown. 

"He  was  murdered  in  cold  blood  by  masked  men.  You 
understand  that  all  innovations  on  existing  conditions  have  been 
opposed  from  time  immemorial.  The  gospel  has  particularly 
been  combated  in  all  ages,  as  its  history  amply  illustrates.  The 
people  of  their  time  did  not  tolerate  Christ  and  His  apostles, 
and  ceased  not  persecuting  them  as  long  as  they  lived  upon  the 
earth.  They  were  all  at  last  put  to  death.  The  truths  which  the 
Latter-day  prophet  taught  were  the  same  as  were  expounded 
by  the  Savior  and  his  followers,  and  opposition  to  these  came 
as  naturally  as  that  a  similar  cause  produces  a  similar  effect. 
The  prophet  was  finally  martyred  for  the  testimony  which  he 
bore.  He  had  been  brought  continually  before  the  courts  which, 
however,  could  prove  no  guilt  against  him,  for  he  was  innocent 
of  any  other  offense  than  that  of  preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
and  bearing  his  testimony  that  the  God  of  Heaven  had  again 
spoken  to  man.  Some  three  days  previous  to  his  assassination, 
he  went  to  the  city  of  Carthage,  in  Illinois,  Nauvoo  being  then 
the  abiding  place  of  the  Saints,  to  deliver  himself  up  to  the  pre 
tended  requirements  of  the  law.  The  governor  of  the  state  had 
pledged  his  word,  as  the  chief  executive,  that  the  prophet 
should  be  protected,  but  no  effort  was  made  to  fulfill  this 
pledge,  and  so  Joseph  and  his  brother  Hyrum  were  shot  in 
Carthage  jail,  on  the  27th  of  June,  1844,  by  an  armed  mob,  com 
posed  of  about  two  hundred  persons  who  had  painted  them 
selves  black." 

"Did  this  murder  of  their  prophet  have  the  effect  of  dis- 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  101 

couraging  the  Saints,  or  rather  did  they  feel  disposed  to  abandon 
the  cause  for  which  they  had  so  far  battled?" 

"It  was  very  natural  that  they  felt  discouraged  and  that 
some  wavered  in  their  course,  but  the  great  majority  were  in 
clined  to  continue  with  unfaltering  zeal  in  the  work,  because 
they  knew  for  themselves  that  the  true  gospel  had  been  restored, 
and  that  they  were  engaged  in  the  work  of  God.  And  here  let 
me  remark  that  the  strength  of  the  Church  consists  in  the  per 
sonal  knowledge  and  testimony  of  the  members.  The  Spirit  of 
God  fills  each  member  with  unfaltering  faith,  and  he  builds  his 
superstructure  of  religious  belief  on  personal  knowledge,  im 
parted  to  him,  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  through  revelation. 
This  testimony  remains  as  long  as  the  person  lives  uprightly 
and  honorably  before  the  Lord,  doing  nothing  to  grieve  it 
away.  Instead  of  scattering  and  abandoning  the  Church, 
leaving  it  to  die,  as  was  expected  and  desired  by  its  enemies, 
and  which  would  doubtless  have  been  the  case  if  it  had  not 
been  divinely  established,  the  people  gathered  strength  and 
through  the  assistance  of  God,  and  the  leadership  of  Apostle 
Brigham  Young,  forsook  their  homes  in  their  beloved  Nauvoo, 
crossed  the  trackless  plains,  scaled  the  mountains,  and  in  the 
midst  of  a  desolate  wilderness  founded  a  commonwealth  which 
has  attracted  the  attention  and  the  admiration  of  the  whole 
world." 

"How  did  Brigham  Young  come  to  be  the  leader  of  the 
people?"  asked  Mr.  Sutherland. 

"He  was  the  president  of  the  Twelve  Apostles,  the  quorum 
next  in  authority  to  the  First  Presidency,  upon  whom  naturally 
rested  the  keys  of  the  kingdom,  upon  whom,  in  fact,  was  con 
ferred  the  power  or  authority  that  the  prophet  had  received  from 
on  high.  Sidney  Rigdon  and  others  sought  the  honor  of  leading 
the  Church,  but  the  Lord,  through  the  manifestations  of  His 
Spirit,  chose  Brigham  Young  for  the  place,  as  president  of  the 
Twelve  Apostles,  the  people  sustaining  him  by  their  vote,  at  a 
meeting  held  in  the  grove  near  the  temple  at  Nauvoo,  on  the 
8th  day  of  August,  1844.  He  was  afterwards,  December,  1847, 
chosen  president  of  the  whole  Church.  He  felt  the  power  of  his 
calling,  and  made  preparations  for  the  great  exodus  of  the  people 
to  the  West,  which  had  been  considered  during  the  lifetime  of 
the  prophet,  but  which  was  now  made  absolutely  necessary  by 
the  persecution  of  the  enemies  of  the  Church.  In  1845,  anti- 


102  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

Mormon  delegates  from  nine  counties  of  Illinois,  met  at  Car 
thage,  and  demanded  the  removal  of  the  Saints.  The  Council 
of  Apostles  agreed  to  their  demands,  knowing  full  well  that 
there  was  no  alternative  between  exodus  or  extermination  by 
massacre.  In  February,  1846,  the  exodus  began  by  the  Saints 
crossing  the  Mississippi  River,  the  remnant  following  on 
September  17th  of  the  same  year,  and  the  movement  triumph 
antly  continued,  with  interruptions,  under  severest  difficulties 
and  hardships,  until  the  pioneers,  on  July  24th,  1847,  entered 
the  valley  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake.  Something  of  the  hardships 
which  they  endured  and  of  the  magnitude  of  their  undertakings, 
the  historians  have  graphically  pictured.  Tullidge  says: 

"  'The  Mormons  were  setting  out  under  their  leader  from 
the  borders  of  civilization,  with  their  wives  and  their  children, 
in  broad  daylight,  before  the  very  eyes  of  ten  thousand  of  their 
enemies,  who  would  have  preferred  their  utter  destruction  to 
their  'flight,'  notwithstanding  they*  had  enforced  it  by  treaties 
outrageous  beyond  description,  inasmuch  as  the  exiles  were 
nearly  all  American  born,  many  of  them  tracing  their  ancestors 
to  the  very  founders  of  the  nation.  They  had  to  make  a  journey 
of  fifteen  hundred  miles  over  trackless  prairies,  sandy  deserts 
and  rocky  mountains,  through  bands  of  war-like  Indians,  who 
had  been  driven,  exasperated,  towards  the  West;  and  at  last, 
to  seek  out  and  build  up  their  Zion  in  valleys  then  unfruitful, 
in  a  solitary  region  where  the  foot  of  the  white  man  had  scarcely 
trodden.  These,  too,  were  to  be  followed  by  the  aged,  the  halt, 
the  sick  and  the  blind,  the  poor,  who  were  to  be  helped  by  their 
little  less  destitute  brethren,  and  the  delicate  young  mother  with 
her  new-born  babe  at  her  breast,  and  still  worse,  for  they  were 
not  only  threatened  with  the  extermination  of  the  poor  remnant 
at  Nauvoo,  but  news  had  arrived  that  the  parent  government 
designed  to  pursue  their  pioneers  with  troops,  take  from  them 
their  arms,  and  scatter  them,  that  they  might  perish  by  the 
way,  and  leave  their  bones  bleaching  in  the  wilderness.  *  *  * 
In  the  centuries  hence,  when  the  passing  events  of  this  age 
shall  have  taken  their  proper  place,  the  historian  will  point  back 
to  that  exodus  in  the  New  World  of  the  West,  as  one  quite 
worthy  to  rank  with  the  immortal  exodus  of  the  children  of 
Israel.' 

' 'Bancroft   says: 

"  'Of  their  long  journey  many  painful  incidents  are  record- 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  103 

ed.  Weakened  by  fever  or  crippled  by  rheumatism,  and  with 
sluggish  circulation,  many  were  severely  frostbitten.  Women 
were  compelled  to  drive  the  nearly  worn-out  teams,  while 
tending  on  their  knees,  perhaps,  their  sick  children.  The  strength 
of  the  beasts  was  failing,  as  there  were  intervals  when  they  could 
be  kept  from  starving  only  by  the  browse  or  tender  buds  and 
branches  of  the  cottonwood,  felled  for  the  purpose. 

"  'At  one  time  no  less  than  two  thousand  wagons  could  be 
counted,  it  is  said,  along  the  three  hundred  miles  of  road  that 
separated  Nauvoo  from  the  Mormon  encampment.  Many 
families  possessed  no  wagons,  and  in  the  long  processions,  might 
be  seen  vehicles  of  all  descriptions,  from  the  lumbering  cart, 
under  whose  awning  lay  stretched  its  fever-stricken  driver, 
to  the  veriest  makeshifts  of  poverty,  the  wheel-barrow  or  the 
two-wheeled  trundle,  in  which  was  dragged  along  a  bundle  of 
clothing  and  a  sack  of  meal — all  of  this  world's  goods  that  the 
owner  possessed. 

"  'On  arriving  at  the  banks  of  the  Missouri,  the  wagons 
were  drawn  up  in  double  lines  and  in  the  form  of  squares. 
Between  the  lines,  tents  were  pitched  at  intervals,  space  being 
left  between  each  row  for  a  passage  way,  which  was  shaded  with 
awnings  or  a  latticework  of  branches,  and  served  as  a  promenade 
for  convalescents  and  a  playground  for  children.' 

"But  it  would  be  too  long  a  story,  to  follow  the  exiles  in  their 
vicissitudes  through  the  whole  of  their  weary  march  across  the 
uninhabited  wilderness  that  lay  between  them  and  their  future 
home,  in  the  then  wild  valleys  of  the  mountains,  and  to  speak 
of  their  struggles  for  existence  after  they  arrived  there.  They 
passed  through  many  severe  afflictions  in  building  up  the  coun 
try  and  in  settling  the  territory.  The  crops  were  often  destroyed 
by  grasshoppers,  crickets,  untimely  frosts,  and  drought,  but 
in  each  difficulty,  the  Lord  overruled  circumstances  for  good 
and  prospered  the  people,  providing  the  necessaries  of  life. 
Settlements  were  established  at  various  points  north  and  south 
of  Salt  Lake  City,  and  the  thrift  of  the  people,  seasoned  with 
the  blessings  of  God,  soon  caused  cities  and  villages  to  spring  up 
in  all  directions.  President  Young,  himself,  often  went  to  seek 
locations  for  these  sites,  and  was  very  frequently  present  when 
a  city  or  town  was  founded." 

"Truly,  a  wonderful  people  with  a  strange  and  fascinating 


104  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

history.   I  am  more  enthusiastic  than  ever  in  my  determination 
to  see  them  and  their  gathering  place,"  said  Mr.  Brown. 

The  evening  was  far  spent,  and  the  company  prepared  to 
retire,  after  the  usual  leave-taking  on  such  occasions.  They  all 
wished  the  missionary  and  Mr.  Brown  a  pleasant  journey.  The 
parting  was  affecting,  for  the  people  had  learned  to  love  the 
Elder,  and  he,  in  turn,  had  a  strong  and  living  interest  in  them. 
Many  missionaries  can  testify  of  the  binding  influence  such 
friends  have  upon  their  affections,  and  people  who  have  learned 
to  love  the  Elders  are  frequently  as  loth  to  part  with  them  as 
with  members  of  their  own  families.  This  case  was  no  exception. 
Durant  thanked  them  all  for  their  kindness  to  him,  and  blessed 
them  for  their  hospitality,  expressing  a  desire  to  see  them  gather 
ed  with  the  Saints,  if  God  should  open  their  hearts  to  an  adop 
tion  of  the  gospel  truths. 

Early  on  the  following  morning,  the  Elder  and  Mr.  Brown 
set  their  faces  to  the  West,  and  with  the  present  facilities  for 
travel,  expected  soon  to  be  in  the  land  of  the  Mormons.  As 
they  passed  over  the  vast  plains,  large  rivers,  rolling  and 
rugged  hills,  and  pleasant  valleys,  their  conversation  was  often 
directed  to  the  great  difference  between  travel  as  the  pioneers 
endured  it,  and  as  it  is  now  enjoyed  in  the  trains  of  palace 
coaches. 

On  a  pleasant  Saturday  evening,  after  a  four  days'  journey, 
they  arrived  in  Salt  Lake  City,  where  Durant  met  his  family  all 
feeling  well.  The  meeting  between  husband  and  wife  and  chil 
dren,  after  such  a  long  separation,  was  happy  in  the  extreme,  and 
it  was  with  thankful  hearts  that  they  kneeled  by  the  family  altar, 
praising  God  in  fervent  prayer  for  His  kind  mercies  in  preserv 
ing  them  to  meet  once  more. 

During  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  Sunday,  they  all 
attended  meeting,  where  an  Elder  delivered  the  following  dis 
course,  which  Mr.  Brown  listened  to  with  marked  attention: 
"My  Brethren,  Sisters  and  Friends: 

"I  am  thankful  for  the  privilege  of  speaking  to  you  a  short 
time  this  afternoon.  I  am  anxious  to  explain,  whenever  opportu 
nity  affords,  the  nature  of  our  faith. 

"In  this  free  country,  where  we  congratulate  ourselves  in 
enjoying  and  allowing  the  greatest  freedom  to  everybody,  I 
presume  we  will,  all  of  us,  speaker  and  congregation,  exercise  the 
privilege  of  explaining  and  reflecting  upon  the  things  that  may 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  105 

be  aaid,  so  that  our  friends,  I  trust,  will  leave  us  understanding 
a  little  more  about  the  nature  of  our  religion  than  when  they 
came  to  the  meeting. 

"Our  visiting  friends  have,  doubtless,  heard  about  the 
Latter-day  Saints.  They  have  had  the  opinions  of  men  who 
have  spoken  in  the  pulpits,  and  who  have  written  books  about 
the  Mormons,  and  they,  very  likely,  have  come  here  under 
certain  impressions  in  regard  to  the  Mormons'  faith. 

"I  am  sorry  to  say  that  experience  has  taught  me  that  the 
public  generally  have  been  deceived.  I  am  gratified  sometimes 
in  listening  to  acknowledgements  of  this  kind  from  those  who 
have  heard  for  themselves,  and  have  thus  been  able  to  judge 
intelligently  as  to  whether  the  reports  which  they  have  heard 
from  our  enemies  are  correct  or  not. 

"It  seems  strange,  but  it  is  nevertheless  true,  that  many 
people  who  wish  to  know  the  faith  of  the  Saints  go  to  their 
enemies  to  learn  of  them.  I  do  not  know  whether  our  kind 
friends  have  thought  of  the  inconsistency  and  injustice  of  such 
a  course  as  this.  If  I  wished  to  learn  what  the  Roman  Catholics 
believed  in,  I  do  not  think  at  present  that  I  would  go  to  the 
Protestant  Church  to  learn  it;  or  if  I  wished  to  learn  what  any 
denomination  of  professing  Christians  believe,  I  do  not  think  it 
would  be  just  for  me  to  go  to  some  other  denomination  to  as 
certain  it.  In  the  first  place,  other  churches  might  be  led — 
perhaps  unwittingly,  perhaps  intentionally — to  misrepresent 
the  faith  of  their  neighbors,  and  I  might  be  deceived  through 
their  misrepresentations.  On  the  other  hand,  there  is  no  need 
of  my  going  to  any  one  church  to  learn  the  faith  of  another 
people,  because  I  can  go  just  as  easily  to  their  own  church  to 
listen  to  their  explanations,  and  thus  be  sure  of  getting  informa 
tion  of  their  peculiar  views,  without  trusting  to  the  misrepresen 
tations  of  their  neighbors.  Now  I  submit  that  such  a  course  as 
this  is  right;  it  is  just,  and  accords  with  our  impressions  of  a 
fair  and  just  hearing  and  consideration  from  the  parties  most 
interested,  as  to  whether  their  faith  be  correct  or  not. 

"Of  course,  we  have  no  disposition,  as  Latter-day  Saints, 
even  if  we  had  the  power,  to  constrain  any  person  to  believe 
our  doctrines.  We  have  not  the  power;  we  have  not  the  dis 
position.  We  simply  wish  to  explain  the  nature  of  that  religion 
of  which  we  are  ministers — laboring  under  a  feeling  of  anxiety 
to  deliver  the  message  with  which  we  have  been  sent,  that  our 


106  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

friends  may  have  the  privilege  of  receiving  or  rejecting  it, 
just  as  they  think  proper. 

"I  approach  the  examination  of  this  subject,  because  I 
believe  that  many  of  our  kind,  honest,  well-wishing  friends — 
those  who  desire  to  serve  God  according  to  His  will  and  pleasure 
— are  under  the  impression  that  there  exists  a  confusion  so 
general,  and  errors  so  prevalent,  that  religion  seems  to  be  losing 
its  hold  upon  the  minds  of  the  people.  And,  of  course,  we  who 
have  faith  in  God  and  in  His  revealed  word,  as  contained  in 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  deplore  a  state  of  things  that 
indicates  a  departure  from  that  respect  and  reverence  which  we 
wish  to  see  existing  and  manifested  on  the  part  of  the  people 
towards  the  Supreme  Being. 

"What  is  the  reason  that  people  are  becoming  irreligious? 
What  is  the  reason  that  people  talk  of  sacred  things  lightly? 
What  is  the  reason  that  men  who  have  heretofore  been  respected 
as  ministers  of  religion  are  now  little  thought  of?  It  is  simply 
because  the  religions  that  are  taught  are  losing  their  hold  upon 
the  minds  and  affections  of  the  people;  because  the  religions 
that  are  taught  do  not  supply  the  want  that  men  and  women 
feel;  because  the  word  preached  by  most  ministers  carries 
with  it  no  power  to  convince  people  as  to  the  truthfulness  of 
the  doctrines  that  are  presented,  or  the  sinful  condition  of  the 
people  to  whom  they  are  taught. 

"The  present  condition  of  the  Christian  world  does  not 
present  that  union,  that  love,  that  we  expect  from  the  per 
petuation  of  the  doctrines  that  Christ  taught,  and  it  is  this 
fact,  understood  by  many,  that  increases  their  doubts  and 
strengthens  their  objections  to  what  is  called  'Christianity.' 
The  New  Testament  teachings  lead  us  to  expect  a  state  of 
unity  in  the  Christian  Church.  The  admonitions  of  the  Apostles 
were  to  the  effect  that  the  Saints  in  early  days  should  be  united 
together,  that  they  should  understand  alike,  that  they  should 
speak  the  same  things,  that  they  should  be  of  the  same  mind 
and  of  the  same  judgment.  Such  are  the  words  of  the  Apostle, 
to  be  found  in  I  Cor.  i:10. 

"Now,  my  friends,  does  such  a  state  of  things  exist  around 
us  in  connection  with  the  Christian  churches  that  we  might 
expect  from  the  nature  of  a  perfect  religion,  introduced  by 
Christ?  Does  there  exist,  at  the  present  time,  a  state  of  things 
so  perfect  as  to  agree  with  the  expectations  raised  from  the 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  107 

teachings  of  St.  Paul  in  this  scripture  that  I  have  quoted?  I 
think  not.  I  am  safe,  I  believe,  in  stating — and  I  think  our 
friends  are  prepared  to  agree  with  me — that  there  does  not 
exist  amongst  the  Christian  denominations  that  unity  and  that 
oneness  of  faith,  peace,  kindness  and  love  which,  by  reading  the 
New  Testament,  we  might  expect  to  appear  amongst  them  as 
the  true  fruits  of  Christianity.  And  it  is  upon  this  I  wish  to 
make  a  few  remarks  before  proceeding  to  explain  to  you,  from 
the  Bible,  the  nature  of  our  faith. 

"Of  course,  the  existence  of  a  number  of  denominations 
called  'Christian'  cannot  be  denied.  But  we  are  told  that  all  the 
Christian  churches  exhibit  to  us  one  church;  that  if  one  denom 
ination  does  not  teach  the  whole  perfect  plan  of  religion  re 
vealed  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  all  the  churches  put  together 
do;  although  there  may  be  divisions  existing  amongst  the 
members  of  these  denominations.  Unless  we  accept  this  view 
we  must  object  to  Christianity  on  the  ground  that  we  cannot 
find  which  of  all  the  Christian  denominations  teach  the  truth. 
Here  is  one  church  called  Christian  that  teaches  certain  doc 
trines,  another  more  or  less  in  its  teachings  contradicts  them, 
a  third  teaches  doctrines  that  are  in  conflict  with  the  other 
two,  and  so  we  might  go  through  them  all,  and  speak  in  light 
terms  of  those  who  think  honestly  enough  that  they  are  serving 
God. 

"Now,  my  friends,  I  will  ask  this  question — First,  Is  it 
reasonable  to  suppose  that  God  would  sustain  two  distinct 
religious  churches  as  His  churches?  Is  it  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  God  would  set  up  two  distinct  religious  bodies,  the  min 
isters  of  which  teach  different  doctrines?  After  learning  from 
the  Bible  so  much  indicating  the  anxiety  of  God's  inspired 
servants  for  a  time  of  perfect  unity,  I  say  it  is  not  reasonable  to 
suppose  it.  And  just  so  long  as  two  distinct  religious  systems 
exist,  teaching  different  doctrines  and  preaching  different 
principles,  there  exists  a  conflicting  influence,  divisions,  feelings, 
perhaps  very  strong,  if  the  difference  in  doctrine  is  very  decided. 
If  it  is  not  reasonable,  what  are  we  to  do?  How  can  we  account 
for  such  a  condition  of  things? 

"This  leads  to  the  position  we  occupy.  We  want  to  know 
something  more. 

"Is  it  true  that  the  bodies  called  'Christian'  at  present 
represent  the  Church  of  Christ?  Or  is  it  true  that  they  have 


108  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

ignored  some  things  belonging  to  the  perfect  doctrine  of  Christ, 
and  taken  as  their  guide  their  own  conclusions  in  regard  to 
what  is  right,  which  leads  to  the  division  of  doctrine?  How  is 
it?  But  I  will  endeavor  to  show  that  it  is  unscriptural,  as  well 
as  unreasonable,  for  us  to  receive  different  Christian  bodies 
as  the  Church  of  Christ. 

"I  will  direct  your  attention  to  a  few  passages  from  the  word 
of  God.  Jesus,  when  He  sent  the  Apostles  to  preach  in  the  first 
place,  said  to  them,  'Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature.'  Not  any  system  that  might  be  termed 
a  gospel.  There  was  no  choice  left  to  anybody.  He  spoke  defin 
itely  in  regard  to  the  gospel  plan,  which  He,  the  Son  of  God, 
came  to  the  earth  to  set  up.  Paul,  in  the  first  chapter  of  Gala- 
tians,  eighth  verse,  says,  'Though  we  or  an  angel  from  heaven 
preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  which  we  have 
preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed.'  Paul,  one  of  the 
Apostles,  taught  the  gospel,  the  same  Gospel  that  Peter,  James, 
John  and  others  taught.  They  all  taught  the  same  system. 
And  Paul  said,  in  another  place,  that  he  went  up,  by  revelation, 
to  Jerusalem,  taking  Barnabas  and  Titus  with  him,  and  com 
municated  the  gospel  which  he  preached  among  the  Gentiles 
(Gal.  ii:l,  2),  thus  showing  that  he  taught  the  same  thing 
everywhere.  You  see,  Paul's  words  and  practice  show  that  he 
did  not  admit  of  the  least  change  or  alteration  from  the  gospel 
as  taught  by  Christ  and  preached  by  the  Apostles  to  the  people. 
In  another  place  it  is  said,  'Whosoever  transgresseth,  and  abideth 
not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  hath  not  God.  He  that  abideth  in 
the  doctrine  of  Christ,  he  hath  both  the  Father  and  the  Son' 
(II  John  9),  showing  us  that  he  taught  strictly  the  necessity 
of  abiding  in  that  form  of  doctrine  which  had  at  first  been 
delivered.  I  quote  these  passages  to  show  you  that  the  gospel 
which  Christ  and  the  Apostles  first  taught  was  intended  to  be 
taught  continually,  without  change,  and  that  none  had  a  right, 
not  even  an  angel  from  heaven,  to  preach  any  other  gospel 
than  that  which  had  been  delivered  at  the  first. 

"Do  you  agree  with  this?  Because  I  am  about  to  examine, 
in  detail,  some  of  the  doctrines  that  will  readily  show  to  you 
the  difference  between  the  ministers  of  the  true  gospel  and  the 
ministers  of  the  so-called  gospel  that  is  preached  at  the  present 
time.  But  are  you  prepared  to  come  to  the  conclusion,  with  me, 
that  it  is  the  old  gospel,  Christ's  gospel,  the  doctrines  of  the 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  109 

Apostles  that  we  ought  to  seek  and  follow,  if  we  expect  eternal 
life?  Or  do  you  think  you  are  safe  in  following  the  teachings 
of  men,  who  have  made  great  changes  from  such  ancient  gospel, 
with  the  following  passage  before  you?  'If  there  come  any  unto 
you  and  bring  not  this  doctrine,  receive  him  not  into  your  house, 
neither  bid  him  God  speed."  (II  John  10th  verse.)  Do  you 
think  you  can  obtain  God's  blessing  by  being  members  of  a 
church  or  churches  that  teach  doctrines  opposed  to  what 
Christ  taught?  How  is  this? 

"  'Well,  certainly/  said  one — a  Bible  believer — 'of  course 
I  wish  to  have  the  religion  of  the  Bible.  I  would  like  to  have  the 
religion  of  Christ.  I  do  not  admit  of  any  departure.'  This  is 
right.  This  is  consistent.  Of  course,  if  there  is  a  question  as  to 
whether  God  has  made  any  change  in  His  primitive  faith, 
revealed  through  Christ,  we  shall  consider  it;  for  I  am  willing 
also  to  make  a  change  if  God  has  authorized  it.  I  am  quite 
willing  to  accept  any  doctrine  that  God  has  revealed  from 
heaven  for  my  salvation.  I  confess  to  you  that  I  have  no 
disposition  whatever  to  maintain  private  views  or  speculations 
which  may  have  been  engendered  on  my  own  part  through 
reflection.  I  wish  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  as  Christ  taught  it, 
as  the  apostles  taught  it,  and  I  will  not,  with  the  light  that  I 
possess,  depart  one  particle  from  the  letter  and  spirit  of  that 
ancient  plan.  And  if  there  are  any  friends  here  who  have  heard 
that  the  Elders  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day 
Saints  do  not  believe  in  the  Bible,  let  them  judge.  There  are 
no  practices  pleasing  to  God,  or  likely  to  bring  His  blessings 
upon  the  heads  of  the  children  of  men,  except  those  inculcated 
by  Him,  through  His  servants,  by  the  power  of  revelation  from 
heaven;  so  that  we  will  not  depart  from  the  book.  We  will  not 
teach  doctrines  that  are  opposed  to  this  book,  but  we  are  pre 
pared  to  show  our  friends,  in  the  spirit  of  kindness,  that  doc 
trines  opposed  to  those  contained  in  this  book  are  displeasing 
to  God,  and  are  not  calculated  to  bring  peace  and  salvation 
to  the  children  of  men. 

"  'But/  says  one,  'what  matters  it  whether  we  go  this  road 
that  you  point  out  or  some  other?  You  know  if  we  can  get  to 
heaven  one  way,  is  not  that  as  good  as  another?  We  will  try 
to  illustrate  this  idea.  If  a  man  wish  to  go  to  London,  says 
the  inquirer,  may  he  not  go  the  road  that  leads  towards  the 
south,  or  a  road  that  leads  towards  the  north,  as  the  case  may 


110  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

be;  what  matters  it  so  that  he  gets  to  London?  It  would  not 
matter  in  the  least.  He  might  go  the  road  that  led  to  the  north 
or  that  which  led  to  the  south,  and  by  making  a  shorter  or 
longer  journey,  as  the  case  might  be,  he  might  get  to  London. 
But  you  see  there  is  no  parallel  between  this  figure  and  the 
facts  in  regard  to  religion,  because  there  are  not  two  ways  to 
get  to  heaven.  That  is  the  difference.  There  are  two  ways  to 
get  to  London  probably,  perhaps  more,  but  you  see  there  is 
only  one  way  to  get  to  heaven,  so  that  when  we  admit,  as  an 
illustration,  a  figure  of  this  kind,  we  start  with  an  error  and  it 
leads  us  astray. 

"The  Bible  speaks  of  one  way.  It  speaks  of  two  ways.  It 
speaks  of  a  broad  road  that  leads  to  destruction,  and  it  speaks  of 
a  narrow  way  that  leads  to  eternal  life.  So  you  see  there  is 
only  one  way  that  leads  to  heaven,  and  if  any  one  persuades  us 
that  the  wide  road  will  lead  us  there,  he  deceives  us,  for  there  is 
only  one  way,  and  it  is  narrow.  The  Bible  is  very  plain  upon 
this,  because  the  doctrines  are  steadfast  and  sure,  and  the 
words  are  plain  that  there  is  but  one  way  that  leads  to  life  and 
glory.  Now  that  is  the  way  we  want  to  find  out. 

"Jesus  came,  He  said,  to  do  His  Father's  will,  not  His  own. 
He  called  Apostles  and  ordained  them,  and  He  said,  'As  I 
have  been  sent,  so  send  I  you.  Go  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.'  That  was  their  business.  But  He  said,  'Tarry 
ye  first  in  Jerusalem,  until  ye  are  endowed  with  power  from  on 
high.'  Jesus  called  the  Apostles.  He  ordained  them  Himself. 
He  instructed  them  personally,  and  He  commissioned  them  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature.  But  He  wished  them  to 
tarry  at  Jerusalem  until  they  received  power  from  on  high; 
a  certain  gift  which  God  had  promised  that  they  might  be 
qualified,  in  every  sense,  to  discharge  the  important  duty 
devolving  upon  them,  of  administering  words  of  salvation  to 
a  fallen  world.  The  Apostles  did  this.  They  gathered  in  Jeru 
salem.  They  were  there  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  whilst 
there,  in  the  upper  room,  the  endowment  of  which  Jesus  spoke 
was  given  unto  them.  The  Holy  Ghost  came  upon  them,  in  the 
upper  room,  as  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  and  it  sat  upon  them  as 
cloven  tongues  of  fire.  And,  whilst  under  that  influence,  the 
Apostles  who  were  sent  to  preach  the  gospel,  stood  up,  at  least 
Peter  did,  as  the  mouthpiece  of  the  rest,  at  that  time  to  preach 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.          Ill 

the  gospel  that  Christ  sent  them  to  declare.  Now,  what  was  it? 
Let  us  lay  a  good  foundation  as  we  proceed. 

"Were  they  qualified  to  preach  it?  I  do  not  think  any  Chris 
tian  will  doubt  it.  If  they  were  not  prepared  to  teach  the  gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God,  then  I  would  have  no  hope,  my  friends,  of 
hearing  it  in  this  life.  Never.  Jesus  Himself  chose  them.  He 
ordained  them;  He  instructed  them,  and  after  all  this,  as  you 
will  find  in  the  2nd  chapter  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  1st, 
2nd  and  3rd  verses,  they  assembled  in  Jerusalem,  and  had 
fulfilled  unto  them  the  promise  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  re 
ceiving  the  endowment  of  which  I  have  been  speaking. 

"I  think  that  all  my  friends  here  are  certainly  prepared  to 
accept  the  words  that  Peter  spoke  and  acknowledge  them  to 
be  true.  What  did  Peter  say?  First,  he  preached  Christ  and 
Him  crucified.  You  see  the  people  who  had  gathered  together 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost  were  people  who  had  no  faith  in  Christ. 
They  had  rejected  Him  and  His  instructions.  They  had  been 
of  those  who  persecuted  Christ  and  the  Apostles.  They  were  of 
those  who  had  either  personally  or  in  their  sympathies  sustained 
the  crucifixion  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Therefore,  Peter,  knowing  this, 
stood  up  and  preached  to  them,  first  Christ  and  Him  crucified, 
and  he  was  successful.  Who  can  doubt  it?  Peter,  a  servant 
of  God,  ordained  by  the  Son  of  God.  Peter,  upon  whom  the 
Spirit  of  God  rested  as  tongues  of  fire,  as  the  scriptures  have  it. 
This  man  stood  up  and  argued  the  point,  and  explained  about 
Jesus.  And  who  can  doubt  the  result?  I  am  sure  we  would  have 
been  disappointed  if  we  had  been  told  in  the  Bible  that  Peter 
was  not  successful.  He  was  successful.  Many  believed  on  him, 
and  the  result  of  their  belief  was  that  they  said,  'Men  and 
brethren,  what  shall  we  do?'  (Acts  ii:  37.)  No  wonder  they 
asked  that  question.  People  who  had  either  helped  to  crucify 
the  Lord,  or  who  had  rejoiced  when  He  was  crucified,  as  many 
of  them  did,  to  be  convinced  that  that  same  Jesus  whom  they 
had  assisted  to  crucify  was  indeed  the  Lord,  the  Christ;  and 
when  they  were  convinced  of  this  they  cried  out,  'Men  and 
brethren,  what  shall  we  do?' 

"Peter  was  prepared  to  tell  them.  He  had  the  very  instruc 
tions  that  were  needed,  and  the  words  of  Peter  are  applicable  to 
day,  my  friends,  to  you  and  to  me,  so  far  as  we  have  not  obeyed 
them. 

"We  are  believers  in  Christ,  I  trust.    We  have  fortunately 


112  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

made  our  appearance  in  this  life,  in  the  midst  of  a  people  who  at 
least  believe  in  the  divinity  of  Christ,  and  we  have  received 
impressions  favorable  to  this  end;  therefore  the  words  of  Peter, 
spoken  to  those  who  believe  in  the  divinity  of  Christ,  are 
applicable  to  us,  and  are  the  words  of  salvation  to  us,  if  that 
ancient  gospel  is  not  changed.  What  were  the  words?  He  says, 
'Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.'  (Acts  ii:  38. ) 

"Was  that  the  gospel?  Yes,  unless  the  Apostles  disobeyed 
the  instruction  of  Christ,  because  they  were  sent  to  preach  the 
gospel,  and  they  were  endowed  that  they  might  preach  it 
perfectly  and  represent  God,  the  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth, 
in  the  words  and  spirit  by  which  they  presented  it  unto  the 
people. 

"Now,  my  friends,  faith  in  Christ  was  the  first  principle  of 
the  gospel;  repentance  of  sins  was  the  second  principle;  baptism 
for  the  remission  of  sins  was  the  third  principle,  and  then  the 
reception  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  as 
taught  by  Peter  on  that  day  in  Jerusalem.  Is  there  any  objection 
to  this?  'None  at  all/  says  one,  'that  is  scriptural;  we  cannot 
object  to  it.'  A  Bible  believer  can  not  object  to  it.  But  what  is 
becoming  of  us  if  such  doctrines  are  not  taught?  'Well/  says 
one,  'are  they  not  taught?'  No.  'Faith  in  Christ  is  taught/ 
and  'repentance  of  sins  is  taught/  although  by  some  people 
the  latter  is  taught  first,  before  faith  in  Christ.  Some  teach 
that  we  must  repent  of  our  sins  before  we  can  have  faith  in 
Christ.  This  is  a  mistake.  We  cannot  possibly  repent  of  sin 
committed,  unless  we  are  convinced  that  we  have  committed  the 
sin.  We  cannot  repent  of  laws  broken,  which  Christ  has  taught 
through  His  Apostles  unless  we  are  first  convinced  that  Jesus 
was  divine,  and  had  the  authority  to  teach  them;  so  that  faith 
in  Christ  and  His  divine  mission  must  be  the  foundation  of  our 
practice  as  Christians.  And  the  first  effect  that  faith  in  Christ 
produces  is  repentance  of  the  sins  which  we  have  committed. 
So  repentance  is  the  second  principle  of  the  gospel.  But  we 
differ  a  little  more  about  the  third  principle.  Just  read  your 
Bible,  and  you  will  find  that  Peter  taught  baptism  for  the 
remission  of  sins.  (Acts  ii:  38.)  Again,  John  the  Baptist,  who 
was  the  forerunner  of  Christ,  baptized  for  the  remission  of 
sins  (Mark  i:4.)  'John  was  sent  from  God/  You  will  find  this 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  113 

in  the  first  chapter  of  the  gospel  according  to  St.  John,  6th 
verse.  John  himself  said,  in  the  33rd  verse  of  the  same  chapter, 
'He  that  sent  me  to  b'aptize  with  water,  the  same  said  unto  me/ 
referring  to  the  instruction  he  received  from  the  Father  regard 
ing  Christ.  Both  passages  assert  this,  that  John  the  Baptist 
was  sent  by  God  to  baptize  with  water,  and  we  are  taught  in 
the  Bible  that  he  did  teach  the  baptism  of  repentance  for  the 
remission  of  sins.  That  is  just  what  we  might  expect.  John 
was  God's  servant.  So  was  Peter.  They  both  taught  the  same 
doctrine.  John  taught  baptism,  and  Peter  told  the  people  to 
be  baptized  every  one  of  them.  You  will  remember  the  servant 
of  God  who  was  sent  to  speak  to  Paul,  to  instruct  him  just  after 
his  conversion.  He  went  to  him,  and  when  the  scales  fell  from 
the  eyes  of  Paul,  or  Saul,  this  man  of  God  said  to  him:  'Why 
tarriest  thou?  Arise,  and  be  baptized,  and  wash  away  thy  sins, 
calling  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord.'  (Acts  xxii:16.)  Be  baptized 
and  wash  away  his  sins?  Yes.  Now,  that  agrees  exactly  with  the 
doctrine  of  Peter,  and  the  doctrine  of  John  the  Baptist.  They 
were  all  three  servants  of  God,  and  they  all  taught  the  same 
doctrine,  and  those  who  heard  and  believed  that  doctrine  pos 
sessed  the  selfsame  faith;  so  that,  so  far  as  baptism  is  concerned, 
the  ancient  Saints  did  teach  and  practice  the  selfsame  doctrine 
—baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins. 

"I  want  to  talk  a  little  about  this.  One  says,  'Well,  I  have 
always  been  taught  that  baptism  was  a  doctrine  of  Christ 
anciently,  but  I  have  been  under  the  impression  that  it  was  not 
necessary  to  salvation.'  That  may  be,  my  friends;  we  have  been 
taught  a  great  many  things,  and  good  Christian  people  have 
believed  a  great  many  things  that  Christian  people  have  re 
jected  since.  But  that  is  no  reason  why  we  should  change  the 
Bible  doctrine.  The  thing  is  right  here.  'Well,'  says  one,  'I 
thought  we  were  not  able  of  ourselves  to  do  anything  to  help 
save  ourselves.'  This*  requires  proper  understanding.  If 
baptism  brings  the  remission  of  sins,  and  baptism  is  not  attended 
to  by  us,  we  cannot  obtain  the  blessing.  Certainly  not.  God 
gives  us  bread  to  eat,  but  he  does  not  present  it  to  us.  A  man 
sows  the  seed  in  the  ground  and  he  sees  to  it  and  he  harvests  it 
and  it  is  threshed  and  prepared  and  placed  before  us  in  the  shape 
of  flour,  but  we  have  no  disposition  to  deny  that  it  is  the  gift  of 
God.  If  it  were  not  for  God's  goodness  we  should  have  no  bread. 
If  it  were  not  for  the  gift  of  God  we  could  not  attend  to  the  ordi- 


114          MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

nance  that  brings  remission  of  sins.  We  have  not  power,  of  our 
selves,  to  bring  within  our  reach  a  single  saving  principle  belong 
ing  to  the  plan  of  eternal  life.  It  is  all  God's  free  gift.  It  is  all 
in  consequence  of  His  mercy,  and  His  charity,  and  His  goodness 
and  love,  and  pleasure  manifested  to  us  that  we  have  any  privi 
leges  at  all  that  will  help  to  make  us  better,  or  that  will  bring  us 
into  His  Church  and  kingdom  and  give  us  a  right  to  say  that 
we  are  really  His  children.  The  fact  that  He  has  laid  down 
ordinances,  through  which  a  remission  of  sins  is  brought  to  us, 
does  not  warrant  us  in  saying  that  we  do  it  of  ourselves,  and 
when  people  talk  like  this  it  is  likely  to  deceive. 

"Now,  my  friends,  the  Bible  says,  in  the  place  I  have 
quoted,  that  baptism  is  for  the  remission  of  sins.  Do  we  be 
lieve  this?  If  we  do,  you  know,  we  must  also  come  to  the  con 
clusion,  necessarily,  that  we  cannot  have  a  remission  of  sins 
without  it.  If  God  has  placed  the  ordinance  of  baptism  in  His 
Church,  as  part  of  His  divine  system  for  a  certain  purpose,  the 
object  cannot  be  obtained  without  it.  The  means  which  God 
reveals  for  certain  purposes  must  be  used.  We  cannot  say,  and 
it  would  be  unreasonable  in  us  to  say,  that  when  God  speaks 
from  heaven  in  regard  to  any  particular  thing,  we  can  ignore 
His  advice  when  we  please  and  accept  something  that  suits 
us.  It  is  wrong,  and  it  is  this  disposition  that  has  led  to  the 
present  deplorable  state  of  things. 

"  'Well,'  says  one,  'I  have  thought  that  baptism  was  for 
an  outward  sign  of  an  inward  grace,  or  of  membership  in  the 
Church.'  Another  error,  you  see!  The  Bible  does  not  say 
anything  about  that.  Of  course  the  act  of  a  person  embracing 
the  principles  of  the  gospel  and  becoming  a  member  of  the 
Church,  may  be  a  sign,  but  baptism  was  not  set  in  the  Church 
for  that  purpose.  It  was  taught  in  the  Church  and  administered 
for  the  remission  of  sins  and  nothing  else.  And  no  man  or  woman 
can  obtain  a  place  in  God's  kingdom,  or  enjoy  His  presence  here 
or  hereafter,  unless  their  sins  are  washed  away  in  baptism,  as 
Paul's  were  washed  away  when  he  accepted  the  advice  of  the 
good  and  inspired  man,  Ananias,  who  instructed  him. 

"When  I  think  of  the  importance  of  this  offer  which  God 
has  made,  my  heart  is  filled  with  thankfulness  instead  of  a 
disposition  to  discard  what  He  has  taught.  It  is  strange,  and 
we  can  only  account  for  it  on  the  ground  of  the  waywardness  of 
men  naturally,  to  think  that  we  would  attempt  to  do  things  in 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  115 

opposition  to  the  will  of  God.  Is  there  a  more  important  bless 
ing  offered  to  mankind  than  the  remission  of  sins?  Have  we 
any  hope  of  enjoying  the  glory  of  God  in  our  present  sinful 
condition?  Surely  not,  for  nothing  sinful  or  unholy  can  enter  the 
courts  of  glory.  Then  if  God  has  so  put  in  his  Church  an  or 
dinance  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  us,  like  Saul,  to  wash  away 
our  sins,  why  not  be  prepared  to  receive  it  with  joy  instead  of 
cultivating  or  encouraging  a  disposition  to  ignore  it? 

"Baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins  is  the  third  principle  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ.  Then  comes  the  ordinance  of  the  laying  on 
of  hands  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Peter  says,  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost,  to  which  we  have  directed  your  attention,  'And 
ye  shall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.'  What  did  that  con 
sist  of?  The  gift  of  God's  Spirit.  The  reception  of  God's  power, 
a  portion  of  His  power.  The  reception  of  an  influence  which 
leads  those  who  possess  it  near  to  God  in  their  feelings  and  in 
their  faith.  A  feeling  which  produces  not  only  that  inward 
consciousness  of  acceptance  with  God,  as  His  son  or  daughter, 
but  a  power  which  gives  outward  manifestations  of  its  divinity. 
Jesus  did  promise  to  the  apostles  when  he  sent  them  out  first, 
that  'These  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe.'  Here  are  His 
words,  'Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature.  He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved.  He 
that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned,  and  these  signs  shall  follow 
them  that  believe.'  The  words  of  Christ,  in  the  last  chapter  of 
Mark,  15th  and  following  verses. 

"  'Well,' says  one,  'you  know  we  do  not  believe  in  miracles 
now.  These  signs  were  miracles,  .but  we  do  not  believe  in  them 
now.'  That  may  be,  my  friend.  This  is  the  very  reason  why  we 
are  here,  because  there  is  such  a  great  disbelief  in  the  Bible;  be 
cause  there  is  a  disposition  to  ignore  the  Bible;  because  there  is  a 
disposition  to  ignore  the  promises  of  Christ;  and  we  wish  to  show 
you  the  things  that  are  denied;  we  wish  to  point  out  to  you  the 
doctrines  our  fathers  have  denied ;  that  our  teachers  have  denied, 
and  we  wish  to  show  you  that  they  are  in  the  Bible,  the  word  of 
God,  in  the  book  which  some  have  gone  so  far  as  to  assert  that 
we  do  not  believe  in.  But  is  it  true  that  the  promises  of  God 
were  fulfilled  anciently  in  regard  to  this  matter?  Yes!  In  the 
19th  chapter  and  the  7th  verse  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  you 
will  find  an  instance  related  of  the  Apostles  laying  their  hands 
on  some  that  had  been  baptized,  and  they  spake  with  tongues. 


116  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

This  was  one  of  the  gifts  that  was  manifested,  in  consequence 
of  their  receiving  that  Spirit  which  produced  them.  See  also 
Mark  16th  and  20th. 

You  must  not  consider  that,  in  teaching  these  doctrines, 
we  are  advancing  something  of  ourselves,  something  new.  If 
we  were  teaching  new  doctrines  you  would  have  a  right  to  call 
us  to  account  and  ask  us  for  the  proof.  We  are  teaching  old 
doctrines.  We  are  teaching  the  New  Testament  doctrines,  in 
stead  of  those  of  our  Christian  friends.  We  have  no  spirit  of 
enmity  in  the  least  degree,  towards  any  living  soul,  and  when 
we  refer  to  the  faith  of  our  Christian  friends,  remember,  it  is 
simply  to  make  the  difference  between  their  views  and  ours  more 
distinct  to  you.  I  say  instead  of  our  friends  calling  us  to  account, 
it  is  the  Latter-day  Saints  who  have  the  right  to  come  out  and 
say  to  their  Christian  friends:  'See  here,  why  do  you  deny  signs 
which  Christ  said  should  follow  believers?  What  believers  did 
Christ  speak  about?  Why,  believers  in  His  gospel.  He  taught 
us  that  these  signs  should  follow  believers.  Well,  then,  if  our 
Christian  friends  deny  that  we  have  the  right  to  call  them  to 
account — if  Christ  said  that  these  miracles — manifestations 
of  Almighty  power — should  follow  the  believers,  I  say,  what 
reason  have  they  to  deny  it?  The  question  is  not  now  whether 
the  Latter-day  Saints  possess  the  power  or  not.  The  question 
at  issue  at  present  is  not  whether  the  teachers  of  the  Church  of 
England  have  the  power  or  not.  The  question  is,  does  Christ 
promise  that  power  to  believers  in  the  gospel?  I  say  He  does,  and 
I  say  that  those  who  deny  that  such  powers  should  follow  be 
lievers,  teach  that  which  is  contrary  to  the  word  of  Christ  and 
contrary  to  the  facts  that  appeared  in  connection  with  the 
teachings  and  administration  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ.  So  that 
it  is  not  the  Latter-day  Saints  that  introduce  a  new  doctrine, 
and  we  say  to  our  friends:  Hear  us,  we  beseech  you — hear  the 
message  we  have  to  deliver,  for  God  has  sent  us  to  teach  the 
old  religion,  the  religion  of  Jesus,  the  simple  plan  which  was 
revealed  from  heaven  in  ancient  days,  to  save  the  children  of 
men. 

"Peter  said,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  speaking  of  the  gospel 
and  its  attendant  blessings,  'for  this  promise  is  unto  you.'  That 
is,  to  the  people  who  stood  before  him,  'to  your  children  and 
unto  all  that  are  afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God 
shall  call/ 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  117 

"You  see  it  was  not  confined  to  the  members  of  the  church 
in  the  first  place,  as  some  would  have  us  believe.  The  promise 
of  the  laying  on  of  hands  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was 
made  to  the  children  of  those  who  heard  Peter,  and  to  all  who 
were  afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  should  call. 
And  if  it  be  true  that  God  is  calling  sinners  to  repentance  now, 
we  should  see  the  same  power  manifested  today,  that  is,  if  we 
have  the  true  gospel.  There  can  be  no  doubt  of  this. 

"Which  will  you  have,  my  friends,  the  doctrines  of  the 
Bible  or  the  doctrines  of  men?    If  you  accept  the  doctrines  of 
the  Bible  you  will  have  to  become  Latter-day  Saints,  and  of 
course  that  would  be  out  of  the  question  for  a  good  many.  But 
we  cannot  find  these  doctrines  anywhere  else,  and  that  is  a 
perplexity.  What  shall  we  do  about  them?  When  I  am  speaking 
to  you  I  think  of  the  position  I  occupied  myself,  when  I  heard 
the  Latter-day  Saints  first.  I  went  to  their  meeting,  not  expect 
ing  to  hear  anything  that  would  interest  me  by  any  means, 
but  I  heard  the  Bible  doctrine  taught.    I  could  not  deny  it.    I 
found  I  had  been  mistaken.    I  did  not  incline  in  my  heart  to 
fight  against  God,  but  considerations  came  up.    If  I  become  a 
Latter-day  Saint,  people  will  call  me  a  Mormon.    If  I  embrace 
their  doctrines,  my  friends  will  point  at  me  the  finger  of  scorn. 
If  I  become  a  Latter-day  Saint,  my  good  neighbors  will  say  I  am 
deceived  and  led  astray,  and  that  I  have  embraced  a  doctrine 
that  is  in  opposition  to  the  teachings  of  Christ.   Of  course,  these 
things  flashed  through  my  mind  when  I  considered  and  read  the 
Bible  to  ascertain  positively  whether  these  Mormons  taught  the 
truth  or  not.  I  thought  this — well!  I  have  been  religious  for  the 
purpose  of  making  my  peace  with  God,  but  I  have  been  mis 
taken  and  led  astray  by  men  whom  God  had  not  sent  to  preach 
the  gospel;  but  now  I  have  found  the  truth,  the  old  promises 
relating  to  God's  power;  all  things,  as  at  the  beginning,  have  been 
restored,  and  I  have  the  promise  of  obtaining  a  place  with  the 
righteous,  according  to  the  mind  and  will  of  my  Heavenly 
Father.  Let  friends  say  what  they  please,  let  them  say  I   am 
deceived,  but  I  believe  this  Bible  is  true.  Let  them  say  whatever 
they  may  in  regard  to  my  faith;  no  matter.    I  thought  of  the 
time  of  Christ.     They  called  Christ  hard  names;  and  of  the 
Apostles  they  spake  a  great  deal  of  evil.   In  fact  the  Bible  says 
they  called  them  all  manner  of  evil,  and  although  I  expected  my 
friends  would  denounce  me,  still  when  I  thought  of  what 


118  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

Christ  had  suffered,  I  was  reconciled  and  instead  of  fighting 
against  God,  I  was  willing  to  accept  His  doctrine,  in  order  to 
obtain  His  blessings. 

"I  state  to  you,  my  friends,  that  since  the  day  I  entered  this 
Church  I  have  rejoiced  exceedingly.  I  have  found  proofs  upon 
proofs.  I  have  had  reason  to  rejoice  in  consequence  of  the  mani 
festations  of  God's  power,  confirmatory  of  the  doctrines,  and  I 
can  say  that  the  Church  of  Christ  is  set  up,  its  doctrines  are 
taught,  its  practices  are  practiced,  its  promises  are  fulfilled,  and 
the  evidences  of  its  divine  power  are  manifested  in  the  midst  of 
this  people. 

"I  would  like  to  say  a  few  words  in  regard  to  another  point. 
I  have  just  said  that  I  had  been  taught  a  religion  by  men  whom 
God  had  not  sent.  I  would  like  to  explain.  You  will  excuse  us 
if  we  seem  to  be  very  extreme  in  our  views.  We  have  taken  the 
liberty  to  teach  you  the  truth  just  as  we  have  it,  and  when  we 
say  something  that  comes  in  contact  with  what  you  have  re 
ceived,  excuse  us.  There  is  no  bad  feelings  at  all,  or  unfriendli 
ness  in  the  least.  But  we  believe  in  persons  being  invested  with 
the  proper  authority  to  preach  the  gospel.  Paul  says,  speaking 
of  the  authority  of  the  Holy  Priesthood:  'No  man  taketh  this 
honor  unto  himself,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron.' 
(Heb.  v:4.)  'Faith  cometh  by  hearing,  and  how  can  we  hear 
without  a  preacher?'  (Rom.  x:  14-17.)  'No  man  taketh  this 
honor  unto  himself ,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron.' 
Now  this  is  very  plain,  and  what  does  it  mean?  Simply  what  it 
says.  That  no  man  has  a  right  to  administer  in  the  ordinances 
of  religion  except  he  be  sent  of  God  as  was  Aaron,  for  how  can 
a  man  preach  except  he  be  sent?  (Rom.  x:15.)  If  that  be  ad 
mitted,  of  course, the  next  question  of  importance  is:  How  was 
Aaron  sent?  By  turning  to  the  history  we  have  God's  dealing 
with  Moses,  in  reference  to  the  gathering  of  the  Israelites,  from 
Egypt,  you  will  find  that  God  instructed  Moses  to  call  Aaron  to 
be  his  helper.  (Ex.  iv:15,  16.)  Here  is  the  proof.  No  man  can 
preach  the  gospel  simply  because  he  feels  inclined  within  himself 
to  be  a  preacher.  No  man  can  preach  the  gospel — that  is  with 
God's  approval  and  authority — unless  God  commission  him. 
God  commissioned  every  one  of  his  preachers  in  ancient  times. 
He  spoke  from  heaven.  He  directed  those  who  held  this 
authority  to  call  others.  Christ  called  the  Apostles  as  He  was 
called.  His  Father  called  Him;  He  called  the  Apostles,  and  He 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  119 

said,  'As  my  Father  hath  sent  me,  even  so  send  I  you.'  (St. 
John  xx:21.)  'He  that  receiveth  you,  receiveth  me;  and  he  that 
receiveth  me  receiveth  Him  that  sent  me.'  The  authority  was 
here,  you  see.  God  called  Moses;  He  instructed  Moses  to  call 
Aaron;  so  that  Aaron  stood  exactly  in  the  same  relation  to  God 
as  did  the  Apostles;  the  latter  being  called  of  God  the  Father 
through  Christ.  That  would  be  evident,  because  one  whom  God 
had  authorized  to  act  as  His  servant  was  instructed  by  Him  to 
call  Aaron.  Now,  you  observe,  no  man  has  a  right  to  exercise 
the  authority  of  the  priesthood  unless  he  is  called  of  God  as  was 
Aaron. 

"Are  the  preachers — those  who  commonly  preach  in  con 
nection  with  the  churches  of  the  present  day — called  of  God  as 
was  Aaron?  Or,  in  other  words,  are  they  called  by  revelation 
from  God?  This  is  the  question.  We  do  not  doubt  the  pro 
priety  of  their  being  called  in  this  way,  because  the  Bible  says 
they  ought  to  be.  Do  the  Protestant  ministers,  at  the  present 
time,  profess  to  be  sent  of  God  as  was  Aaron?  Is  there  a  minister 
connected  with  the  Christian  denominations  of  the  present 
day  who  professes  to  be  sent  of  God  by  direct  revelation?  Not 
one.  It  does  not  require  any  argument  at  all.  They  do  not 
profess  that  they  have  heard  from  God.  They  say  that  God  has 
not  spoken  since  the  last  book  of  the  New  Testament  was  writ 
ten.  They  say  it  is  a  sin,  and  they  find  fault  with  the  Latter-day 
Saints  because  we  believe  that  God  does  speak;  that  He  has 
a  right  to  speak;  and  it  is  necessary  we  should  have  His  approval 
and  commission  in  order  to  qualify  us  to  attend  to  the  business 
of  His  Church.  So  that  our  present  Christian  teachers  do  not 
profess  to  be  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron.  They  deny  all  revela 
tion  at  present,  or  since  the  Bible  was  written. 

"You  know  the  ministers,  among  their  other  errors,  receive 
pay  for  preaching.  That  is  an  innovation  also.  The  ancient 
apostles,  and  seventies,  and  bishops,  and  so  on,  were  not  paid 
for  preaching.  But  the  present  ministers  are.  The  preachers  of 
this  Church,  with  whom  I  am  connected,  are  not  paid  for  preach 
ing.  They  preach  without  money,  without  purse,  and  without 
scrip.  Now  the  preachers  of  the  present  churches  make  a  busi 
ness  of  preaching.  They  learn  to  be  preachers.  They  are  brought 
up  to  be  preachers  in  consequence  of  their  parents  or  guides 
finding  in  this  way  a  place  where  they  may  make  a  living.  Such 
ministers  sometimes  acknowledge  one  kind  of  revelation.  Not 


120  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

that  God  tells  the  people  about  His  will,  or  that  He  manifests 
His  power,  but  they  sometimes  tell  us  they  have  received  a  call 
from  one  congregation  to  another.  But  there  is  one  peculiarity 
about  it,  viz :  the  congregation  that  calls  them  is  a  congregation 
that  almost  invariably  offers  them  more  money  than  the  con 
gregation  to  which  they  have  been  attached.  This  is  the  only 
instance  of  any  kind  of  revelation  being  acknowledged  by  our 
Christian  teachers.  God  has  not  spoken,  say  they,  by  inspired 
men,  since  the  days  of  the  ancient  apostles.  He  has  not  spoken 
directly  to  the  Church.  He  has  not  authorized  a  single  man  to 
preach,  but  sometimes  a  call  is  given  from  less  money  to  more. 
And  though  they  are  feeling  full  of  love  and  affection  for  the 
congregation  with  which  they  have  labored  for  years,  yet  they 
are  sorry  and  regret  so  much  that  that  call  must  be  heeded, 
which  takes  them  from  among  their  old  friends  to  a  new  con 
gregation.  But,  you  see,  the  new  congregation  offers  them  more 
money,  and  that  cannot  be  disregarded. 

"My  friends,  these  are  a  few  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Church 
of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints.  Are  we  displeased  with 
anybody?  No,  not  at  all.  All  are  at  liberty  to  believe  what  they 
please.  But  we  are  placed  under  obligations  to  deliver  the 
message  which  God  has  sent.  We  say  we  are  not  solely  depen 
dent  on  the  Bible,  because  God  has  sent  the  gospel.  We  do  not 
wish  you  to  think  that  we  regard  the  Bible  lightly.  Of  course, 
you  will  have  noticed,  from  our  remarks,  that  this  is  not  so. 
But  we  say  from  the  Bible  alone  we  could  not  have  discovered 
the  true  way  of  life,  any  more  than  thousands  of  our  friends 
have  been  able  to  do  so.  Why,  millions  of  people  have  read  the 
Bible  but  have  not  discovered  some  of  these  doctrines.  They 
have  been  led  to  preach  the  things  contained  therein,  and  if 
they  had  discovered  the  doctrine,  this  Bible  cannot  lay  on  hands 
for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  That  part  of  the  work  that  is 
necessary  for  man's  salvation  must  be  done  by  one  whom  God 
authorizes.  Therefore  the  Bible  alone  is  not  sufficient.  It 
contains  the  truth.  It  is  the  word  of  God.  It  contains  the  in 
struction  of  the  apostles.  But  it  does  not  contain  the  divine  au 
thority  that  is  necessary  to  commission  a  man  to  baptize  or 
administer  in  any  ordinance  pertaining  to  the  house  of  God. 

"Now,  my  friends,  may  God  bless  you.  And  my  brethren 
and  sisters,  may  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  leads  unto  all  truth, 
abide  upon  us,  and  may  we  who  have  found  the  truth  have  a 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  121 

disposition  to  retain  it.  May  we  have  the  moral  courage  to  say, 
'Let  God  be  served.  Let  His  truth  be  obeyed.'  Let  the  Almighty 
be  honored,  and  if  other  people  choose  to  follow  their  own 
fancies,  or  the  deceptions  presented  before  them  by  men  whom 
God  has  not  sent,  as  for  us  and  our  house,  let  us  serve  God. 

"May  God  bless  us,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  Amen." 


Bancroft  library 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Mr.  Brown's  Letter  to  the  Marshalls. 

Mr.  Brown  soon  became  acquainted  with  a  number  of 
leading  Mormon  Elders  who  informed  him  more  concerning  the 
history  of  the  peculiar  people  among  whom  he  was  a  visitor. 
The  sights  in  and  around  the  city  were  viewed  by  him,  and  he 
had  time  to  inspect  the  most  important  buildings  and  places 
of  interest.  According  to  promise,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Mar 
shalls  giving  some  of  his  impressions  of  the  country  and  the 
people,  and  his  epistle  is  here  reproduced  in  full: 
"Dear  Friends: 

"I  am  at  length  in  the  land  of  the  Mormons — in  the  city 
of  the  Saints,  by  the  Dead  Sea  of  America.  I  have  been  well  re 
ceived,  and  am  pleased  beyond  measure  with  what  I  have  seen 
and  heard. 

"It  is  a  wonderful  West.  Our  country  as  a  whole  surpasses 
the  inexperienced  conception  of  Europeans,  and  places  their 
cramped-up  districts,  and  tiny,  although  beautiful  nations,  in  the 
position  of  playthings  when  compared  with  the  vastness  of 
America — rustic,  rough,  and  rude  as  even  its  oldest  places 
appear.  Then  what  shall  we  say  of  the  wide  West — until 
recently  an  unknown  region — with  its  variety  of  natural  won 
ders,  its  wild  mountains,  appalling  peaks  and  lonely  valleys, 
industries,  mines  of  wealth,  gorges,  streams,  plains!  It  is  grand, 
notwithstanding  its  development  is  yet  in  its  infancy.  Its 
possibilities  for  future  greatness  are  inconceivable  even  to  the 
hardy  pioneer. 

"We  came  over  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific 
Railway  from  Kansas  City,  via  Denver.  The  State  of  Kansas, 
with  its  beautiful  eastern  cities,  and  its  wonderful  plains  and  new 
and  thriving  settlements  in  the  western  part,  was  presented  to 


122          MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

our  view  from  the  comfortable  palace  coaches  of  the  well- 
equipped  road. 

"From  Denver,  where  one  sees  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
cloven  with  fantastic  ravines,  and  horrible  chasms,  dressed  with 
rough  and  shaggy  woods,  and  capped  with  everlasting  ice  and 
snow,  we  proceeded  to  Pueblo,  and  thence  over  the  Denver  & 
Rio  Grande  Railway,  to  Grand  Junction,  Colorado.  It  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say  that  the  mountain  scenery  along  this  route 
is  the  most  magnificent  in  the  world;  while  the  mid-continent 
region,  which  this  road  traverses,  is  doubtless  the  most  pictur 
esque  portion  of  our  country.  Very  appropriately,  this  road, 
with  its  western  connection — the  Rio  Grande  Western — has 
been  named,  'The  Scenic  Line.' 

"Having  passed  Grand  Junction,  we  soon  entered  Utah, 
and  find  ourselves  in  a  country  of  bluffs,  cliffs,  wonderful  for 
mations  and  deserts,  which  become  wearisome  in  spite  of  the 
novelty  of  the  scene.  Nothing,  however,  could  be  more  romantic 
than  the  worn  battlements  and  rocky  tablets,  between  which, 
for  miles  and  miles,  the  road  winds  its  way.  Nearing  Castle 
Valley,  we  attained  a  higher  level,  where  the  cliffs  came  nearer 
and  were  more  precipitous,  with  the  spaces  between  more  green. 

"We  are  climbing  towards  the  heights  of  the  Wasatch —  the 
western  bulwark  of  the  Rockies,  just  passed.  Ahead  is  the  Castle 
Gate,  'the  most  inspiring  as  a  single  object,  of  all  the  marvelous 
scenes  between  the  plains  and  the  Salt  Sea.'  We  soon  entered 
fairly  into  the  Spanish  Fork  Canyon,  the  sides  of  which  are 
neither  rough  nor  cliff-bound,  but,  rather,  are  steep  and  rounded, 
covered  with  soft  walls  of  greenery,  and  groves  of  aspen  and 
oak.  Nearing  the  valley,  we  beheld  Mt.  Nebo  overtopping 
other  pyramids  of  the  Wasatch  range.  Westward  lies  the  vol 
canic  mountain  range  and  the  arid  deserts  of  Utah  and  Nevada; 
but  at  our  feet  stretches  forth  a  lovely  valley,  with  the  fresh, 
clear  waters  of  the  Utah  Lake  in  the  center. 

"We  passed  on  through  miles  of  fertile  farmland,  and  be 
tween  us  and  the  pretty  lake  were  fine  meadows,  upon  which 
sleek  herds  were  grazing.  A  semi-circle  of  Mormon  settlements 
lies  at  the  feet  of  the  encompassing  hills,  except  upon  the  western 
side,  where  no  water  is  found.  Prove  is  the  largest  of  the  cities 
in  this  valley.  A  short  ride,  and  we  crossed  the  summit  of  a 
low  mountain  range,  separating  the  valley  we  had  just  passed 
over,  from  the  Great  Basin.  The  train  followed  along  the  Jordan 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  123 

river  which  empties  the  waters  of  the  Utah  Lake  into  the  Great 
Salt  Lake.  Salt  Lake  Valley  lies  before  us,  with  the  city  of  the 
Saints,  and  the  wonderful  saline  sea  to  the  north,  the  peaks  of 
the  Wasatch  to  the  north  and  the  east;  and  about  us,  on  every 
side,  the  marks  of  industry,  thrift  and  prosperity,  set  in  a 
framework  of  surprisingly  beautiful  scenery. 

"The  valley  is  extremely  pretty  when  seen  at  the  best 
season  of  the  year.  In  autumn,  when  Nature,  by  the  early 
frosts,  has  delicately  tinted  the  leaves  with  brilliant  hues,  the 
mountains  and  the  hillsides  are  very  attractive;  the  contrast 
between  the  vegetation  of  the  hills  and  the  colors  of  the  valley, 
is  an  interesting  feature  in  the  panorama  spread  before  the 
delighted  observer. 

"Utah  contains  a  population  of  about  375,000;  it  has  an 
area  of  85,000  square  miles,  much  of  which  is  mountains.  The 
Great  Salt  Lake  is  about  forty  by  ninety  miles  in  size,  and  con 
tains  several  islands.  Fish  abound  in  the  numberless  small 
streams  that  flow  from  and  through  the  picturesque  canyons  of 
the  Wasatch. 

"The  sterility  of  the  country  was  removed  by  a  system  of 
irrigation  from  the  mountain  streams  which  fertilize  the  earth, 
causing  it  to  yield  in  abundance,  and  to  'blossom  as  the  rose.' 

"When  you  remember  the  population  and  the  area,  it  will 
readily  appear  that  there  is  great  room  for  more  inhabitants, 
and  yet  it  must  be  remembered  that  only  a  small  portion  of 
the  ground  is  fit  for  cultivation,  the  greater  part  being  wild 
hills  or  sandy  desert.  The  numerous  valleys  are  like  fruitful 
oases  in  a  wilderness  of  rugged  mountains,  which  latter  serve 
as  reservoirs  for  the  snows  of  winter,  that  supply  the  summer  rills 
with  water. 

"The  valley,  sometimes  called  the  Great  Basin,  has  an 
elevation  of  from  four  to  five  thousand  feet,  being  surrounded 
and  intersected  by  mountain  ranges,  which  rise  from  five  to 
seven  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  basin.  The  Wasatch 
range  extends  along  the  east  side  of  the  valley;  at  its  western 
base  is  a  narrow  strip  of  land,  the  most  fruitful  in  the  State. 
In  many  other  parts  the  soil  is  alkaline  and  sterile.  In  other 
districts  there  are  fertile  basins,  with  soil  of  good  quality, 
yielding  in  places  from  fifty  to  ninety  bushels  of  grain  to  the 
acre.  There  are  immense  deposits  of  coal,  iron,  and  other 
valuable  minerals,  among  them  being  gold,  silver,  copper, 


124  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

zinc,  lead,  sulphur,  alum  and  borax.  Salt  works  have  been 
established  in  different  places  along  the  shores  of  the  great 
lake,  the  water  of  which  contains  about  16  per  cent  solid 
matter,  97  per  cent  of  which  is  common  salt.  In  the  chasms 
and  ravines  of  the  mountain  streams  are  found  cedar,  pine, 
quaking  asp,  oak  and  maple,  but  timber  is  difficult  of  access. 
This,  however,  is  compensated  for  by  the  immense  deposits 
of  coal  in  the  neighborhood,  and  in  the  State  itself,  and  by 
the  railroad  facilities  the  State  now  enjoys  for  shipping 
timber  from  Oregon  and  California. 

"The  hardships  of  early  times,  which  are  now  well-known 
in  history,  have  given  way  to  prosperity,  and  the  hidden  re 
sources  of  the  hills  and  dales  are  appearing  to  bless  the  children 
of  the  Mormon  pioneer.  Thriving  towns  and  cities  extend  from 
north  to  south,  from  east  to  west,  over  the  whole  territory,  and 
Mormon  colonies  are  planted  along  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from 
Mexico  in  the  south  to  Canada  in  the  north.  Their  industry  is 
proverbial;  they  view  the  building  of  cities,  hamlets  and  villages 
as  a  divine  call,  taking  hold  of  the  often  perilous  labor  with  the 
invincible  determination  born  of  religious  zeal  and  duty. 

"Salt  Lake  City  has  a  population  of  over  93,000, 
but  it  must  not  be  understood  that  all  these  are  Mormons.  The 
tide  of  prosperity  that  has  come  to  this  people  has  brought 
with  it  thousands  of  citizens  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States, 
until  the  population  is  as  mixed,  in  a  religious  sense,  as  that  of 
any  of  the  states  of  the  Union;  churches  of  all  the  Christian 
denominations,  and  halls  of  the  agnostic,  and  synagogue  of  the 
Jew,  and  the  gathering  place  of  the  infidel,  are  alike  represented. 

"Among  the  buildings  of  interest,  in  Salt  Lake  City,  is  the 
tabernacle,  a  remarkable  edifice,  and  the  great  center  of  at 
traction.  It  was  completed  in  1870,  is  an  oval-shaped  building, 
with  a  major  diameter  of  233  feet,  and  a  height  of  70  feet, 
having  a  huge  dome-shaped  roof  resting  on  pillars  of  sand-stone. 
It  seats  about  nine  thousand  people,  and  contains  one  of  the 
largest  organs  in  the  world.  Here  services  are  held  every  Sab 
bath,  when  the  Elders  of  the  Church,  leaders  of  the  people, 
instruct  the  gathered  thousands  in  the  religion  which,  to  my 
mind,  is  the  only  scriptural  one  now  preached,  and  certainly  the 
only  one  among  them  "all  having  practical  life  and  vitality. 
It  contains  the  germs  of  power  that  will  leaven  the  whole  relig 
ious  world,  scoff  and  deride  as  they  may. 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  125 

"The  famous  temple,  erected  at  a  cost  of  several  millions, 
begun  in  1853,  and  completed  in  1893,  is  built  of  gray  granite, 
with  walls  more  than  six  feet  in  thickness.  It  has  a  length  of 
200  and  a  width  of  100  feet;  the  main  walls  rise  to  a  height  of  100 
feet;  there  are  three  towers  and  numerous  minarets,  on  each 
end  of  the  building,  the  center  east  tower  being  surmounted  by 
a  figure  representing  an  angel  blowing  a  trumpet,  proclaiming 
the  restoration  of  the  gospel  in  the  latter  days.  The  cap-stone 
was  placed  on  this  tower,  amid  great  rejoicing,  in  April,  1892, 
when  it  was  decided  to  finish  the  building,  and  dedicate  it  in 
April,  1893,  the  occasion  of  the  annual  conference  of  the  Church, 
which  is  also  the  anniversary  of  its  organization  (April  6th, 
1830,)  in  New  York  State,  with  six  members.  This  great  build 
ing  is  of  elegant  design,  grand  proportions  and  unique  pattern, 
a  marvel  of  beauty,  strength  and  solidity.  Temples,  of  which 
there  are  several  in  the  State, — one  in  Logan,  one  in  Manti, 
one  in  St.  George — are  designed  for  use  in  performing  holy 
ordinances  for  the  living,  and  vicarious  work  by  the  living  for 
the  dead,  as  you  understand  the  faith  of  the  Saints,  and  as 
Elder  Durant  has  often  referred  to  and  explained  in  his  conver 
sations  with  you. 

"A  Stake  is  a  division  of  the  Church  presided  over  by  a 
council  of  three  High  Priests,  and  in  Utah  generally  corresponds 
geographically  to  the  division  of  counties,  while  in  other  states 
and  territories,  it  often  embraces  larger  districts.  The  stakes 
are  divided  into  wards,  in  each  of  which  a  bishop  and  his  two 
counselors  exercise  supervision.  These  again  are  subdivided 
into  districts  where  presiding  Elders  or  teachers  look  after  the 
interests  of  the  Church  members.  There  are  seventy-five  stakes 
of  Zion,  with  over  eight  hundred  wards.  Each  stake  has 
a  general  assembly  building,  while  each  ward,  besides,  has 
a  structure  for  religious  worship.  The  Assembly  Hall,  erected 
at  a  cost  of  $90,000,  dedicated  January  9th,  1882,  erected  near 
the  temple,  is  the  meeting  place  for  the  Salt  Lake  Stake  of 
Zion.  Much  like  a  church  in  appearance,  it  is  120  by  68  feet  in 
size,  seating  three  thousand  people,  and  is  one  of  the  most  con 
spicuous  buildings  in  the  city.  The  walls  are  built  of  rough- 
hewn  granite  taken  from  the  same  quarry  that  has  supplied 
material  for  the  temple. 

"Other  principal  cities  are  Ogden,  Logan,  and  Provo. 
Ogden,  thirty-seven  miles  north  of  Salt  Lake,  is  the  railroad 


126  MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE. 

city  of  the  State,  and  shows  the  results  of  the  thrift  and 
industry  of  its  inhabitants  on  every  side.  Many  beautiful 
natural  attractions  surround  it — its  warm  springs  and  rugged 
canyons  being  admired  by  all  who  see  them. 

"But  I  have  not  space  in  this  already  long  letter  to  describe 
the  mines,  the  manufacturing,  industrial  and  commercial  estab 
lishments  which  abound  in  this  city  and  in  the  State. 
Neither  can  I  take  time  to  more  than  merely  refer  to  the  schools, 
public  and  private,  and  to  the  educational  facilities  of  the  people. 
It  has  often  been  asserted  that  the  Mormons  are  opposed  to 
education,  but  the  schools  in  every  hamlet  and  city  bear  witness 
to  the  falsity  of  the  assertion.  No  territory  or  state  of  the  Union, 
of  equal  age  with  Utah,  has  finer  school  buildings,  or  is  more 
advanced  in  matters  of  education,  and  to  the  Mormons  may 
be  ascribed  the  honor  01  having  built  and  heartily  supported  the 
system  that  has  made  this  possible. 

"I  see  on  every  side  among  the  Mormons,  people  who  are 
honest  in  their  convictions,  who  have  a  living  faith  and  put  their 
faith  and  teachings  into  practice,  who  are  industrious  and 
thrifty,  kind  to  the  poor,  sober,  virtuous.  There  are  no  signs  of 
abject  poverty  anywhere  in  this  city,  and  much  less  among  the 
hundreds  of  country  settlements;  idleness  is  discountenanced 
by  the  Mormons,  until  among 'them  as  a  people  there  are  no 
beggars,  tramps  or  drones. 

"A  few  more  words,  and  I  will  not  tire  you  with  more  this 
time.  While,  of  course,  I  do  not  agree  with  all  the  doctrines  of 
the  Church,  I  consider  the  people  as  a  whole  are  fair  minded, 
and  broad  in  their  views.  I  have  met  the  chief  men  of  the  Mor 
mon  Church,  and  have  had  a  number  of  pleasant  interviews  with 
them.  I  find  them  men  of  grave  and  reverend  demeanor,  very 
religious  in  thought  and  deed,  but  not  given  to  cant.  They  have 
not  the  sanctimonious  airs  that  are  so  frequently  noticed  in 
religious  ministers.  Heber  J.  Grant  is  the  present  head  of  the 
Church,  and  seventh  man  who  has  occupied  that  position — 
his  predecessors  having  been  Joseph  Smith,  Brigham  Young, 
John  Taylor,  Wilf ord  Woodruff,  Lorenzo  Snow,  Joseph  F.  Smith. 

"I  must  not  close  without  remembering  Mr.  Durant  to 
you.  He  was  overjoyed  to  find  his  family  all  well  upon  his 
arrival.  During  my  stay  in  this  state,  I  have  remained  at  his 
home  a  part  of  the  time,  and  have  been  very  kindly  treated. 

"With  love  to  all,  I  am  your  friend, 

"Walter  T.  Brown." 


MR.  DURANT  OF  SALT  LAKE.  127 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Conclusion. 

Kind  reader,  a  word  before  we  separate:  if  you  are  not  a 
member  of  what  is  commonly  called  the  Mormon  Church, 
having  read  the  foregoing  pages,  you  must  certainly  acknow 
ledge  that  you  know  more  concerning  its  doctrines,  from  a 
Mormon  standpoint,  than  you  ever  knew  before. 

We  have  tried  to  present  to  you,  in  a  plain  and  very  simple 
manner,  some  of  the  first  principles  of  our  faith,  the  true  gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ.  What  do  you  think  of  them?  .Will  they,  or  will 
they  not,  stand  scrutiny?  It  is  left  with  you  to  answer,  and  as 
God  has  blessed  you  with  free  agency,  it  is  your  privilege  to 
judge  and  decide. 

Do  not  treat  these  doctrines  indifferently,  nor  carelessly 
throw  them  aside.  Should  they  be  true,  the  message  is  of  the 
utmost  importance  to  you.  Surrounded  with  so  many  proofs, 
the  faith  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  should  demand  your  further 
investigation. 

Books,  tracts,  and  sermons,  in  great  numbers,  and  within 
easy  reach,  are  at  your  command.  Read,  listen,  investigate! 
Thousands  have  done  so  before,  and  bear  testimony  to  having 
received  a  knowledge  of  the  divine  truth,  as  herein  presented. 

I  part  from  you  with  the  words  of  the  poet — true  as  any 
to  be  found: 

"Know  this,  that  every  soul  is  free 
To  choose  his  life  and  what  he'll  be, 
For  this  eternal  truth  is  given, 
That  God  will  force  no  man  to  heaven. 

He'll  call,  persuade,  direct  aright — 
Bless  him  with  wisdom,  love  and  light — 
In  nameless  ways  be  good  and  kind, 
But  never  force  the  human  mind. 

Freedom  and  reason  make  us  men; 
Take  these  away,  what  are  we  then? 
Mere  animals,  and  just  as  well 
The  beasts  may  think  of  heaven  or  hell." 


Published  by  the  Missions  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 
in  America 

BUREAU  OF  INFORMATION— Temple  Block,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 
CALIFORNIA  MISSION— 153  W.  Adams  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 
CANADIAN  MISSION — 36  Ferndale  Avenue,  Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada. 
CENTRAL  STATES  MISSION— 302  S.  Pleasant  St.,  Independence,  Mo. 
EASTERN  STATES  MISSION— 273  Gates  Ave.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
HAWAIIAN  MISSION— P.  O.  Box  3228,  Honolulu,  Hawaii. 
MEXICAN  MISSION— 3531  Fort  Blvd.,  El  Paso,  Texas,  U.  S.  A. 
NORTHERN  STATES  MISSION— 2555  N.  Sawyer  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 
NORTHCENTRAL  STATES  MISSION— 2725  3d  Ave.S.,  Minneapolis, Minn, 
NORTHWESTERN  STATES  MISSION— 264  E.  25th  St.,  Portland,  Ore. 
SOUTHERN  STATES  MISSION— 371  E.  North  Ave.,  Atlanta,  Ga. 
WESTERN  STATES  MISSION— 538  East  7th  Ave.,  Denver,  Colo. 

Press  of  Zion's  Printing  and  Publishing  Company 
Independence,  Jackson  County,  Missouri. 


